Joachim Nicolas Eggert (1779−1813)

Symphonie a grande Orchestre (Symfoni i c-moll) [Symphony in C minor]

Print

1. Adagio — Allegro assai
2. Adagio — Allegro moderato — Adagio
3. Menuetto and Trio
4. Finale: Allegro con spirito

  • Year of composition: Some time between September 1804 and May 1805
  • Work category: Symphony
  • First performed: 29 April 1805 in the Rikssalen [Hall of State] at the Royal Palace, Stockholm
  • Duration: 25 min

Instrumentation

2.2.2*.2 / 4.2.0.0 / timp, 3 perc / str
(basset horn)

Examples of printed editions

• Breitkopf & Härtel, Leipzig 1812 (or 1817?), plate no. 2094 (parts; the originals were lost in World War II)
• Musikaliska konstföreningen [the publishing house of the Swedish Art Music Society], Stockholm 2010 (editors Avishai Kallai, Jari Eskola)

Location for score and part material

Print on demand, Musikaliska konstföreningen [the publishing house of the Swedish Art Music Society]

  • Location autograph: Musik- och teaterbiblioteket

Description of work

1. Adagio C minor 4/4 (C) 25 bars, Allegro assai 374 bars (2/:128:/245), in total 400 bars
2. Adagio F major 2/4 33 bars, Allegro Moderato F minor 4/4 (C) 90 bars, Adagio F major 2/4 43 bars, in total 166 bars
3. Menuetto C major 3/4 29 bars (/:10:/:18:/1), Trio C major 3/4 34 bars (/:8:/1/:24:/1), Menuetto da Capo al Fine, in total 63 bars
4. Finale: Allegro con spirito C major 2/4, 520 bars

Work comment

This could very well be Eggert's first symphony. The exact year of composition has not been established for any of his four symphonies. Whereas his fifth symphony i D minor is concerned, there is only a fragment (the exposition for an introductory movement).
The themes of this symphony in C minor is said to derive from the Funeral cantata Eggert composed for Prince Fredrik [Frederick] Adolf, Duke of Östergötland (1750-1803), which was his first work composed in Sweden.
The premiere was for the court, only. The first public performance took place on 14 May, 1805.