A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Egmont

by George Grove

EGMONT. Beethoven's music to Goethe's tragedy of Egmont—an Overture, 2 Soprano songs, 4 Entr'actes, Clara's death, a melodram, and a Finale, 10 numbers in all—is op. 84, and was written in 1809 and 10, the overture apparently last of all. The conclusion of the overture is identical with the finale to the whole. The pieces which, according to his custom, Beethoven was elaborating at the same time, are the Quartet in F minor (op. 95), the Goethe songs, and the B♭ Trio (op. 97). It was first performed on May 24, 1810, probably in private. To enable the music to be performed clear of the play, verses have been written with the view of connecting the movements, in Germany by Mosengeil and Bernays, and in England by Mr. Bartholomew.

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