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Background:

• A four movement Symphony composed between 1811 and 1812 in the Bohemian spa town of Tepliz, while he was recuperating from health issues. It was dedicated to Count Moritz von Fries.
• At the time, Napoleon was planning his campaign against Russia. Symphony No. 7 was one of his musical confrontations with Napoleon.
• Premiered in Vienna on 8 December 1813, with Beethoven conducting. The orchestra was led by Beethoven's friend Ignaz Schuppanzigh, and included some of the finest musicians of the day: violinist Louis Spohr, composers Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Giacomo Meyerbeer and Antonio Salieri. The Italian guitar virtuoso Mauro Giuliani, who played the cello.
• In Beethoven's address to the participants, the motives are not openly named: "We are moved by nothing but pure patriotism and the joyful sacrifice of our powers for those who have sacrificed so much for us."
• Beethoven considered it to be one of his best works.
• The Symphony by Georg Solti, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, recorded in the 1970s, was my first vinyl record.

Recordings:

• 9 Symphonies.
  Symphony No. 7.
  Wiener Philharmoniker.
  Leonard Bernstein.
  Deutsche Grammophon.

• The Symphonies.
  Symphony No. 7.
  Gewandhausorchester.
  Riccardo Chailly.
  Decca.
  Gramophone Magazine (2011): Disc of the Month.
  Gramophone Awards (2012): Finalist Orchestral.
  Presto Recording of the Week (2012).
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2020): Recommended.

• Complete Symphonies.
  Symphony No. 7.
  Danish Chamber Orchestra.
  Adam Fischer.
  Naxos.
  Presto Recording of the Week (2019).
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2019): Finalist.
  International Classical Music Awards (2020): Winner Symphonic Music.
  International Classical Music Awards (2020): Winner Recording of the Year.
  Opus Klassik Awards (2020): Nominee Conductor of the Year.
  Opus Klassik Awards (20202): Winner Orchestral 19th Century Music.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2020): Recommended Recording.

• Symphonies 5 & 7. Live at Carnegie Hall.
  Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique.
  Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
  SDG.
  Presto Favourites (2012): Recommended recording.
  Gramophone Magazine (2013): Editor’s Choice.

• Symphonies Nos 1 – 9.
  Symphony No. 7.
  Chamber Orchestra of Europe.
  Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
  Teldec.
  Gramophone Awards (1992): Recording of the Year.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2005): Budget Choice.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2020): Recommended.
  Gramophone Magazine (2026): 100 Greatest Recordings.

• Symphony No 5 & 7.
  Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
  Manfred Honeck.
  Reference Recordings.

• Symphonies Nos 5 & 7.
  Wiener Philharmoniker.
  Carlos Kleiber.
  Deutsche Grammophon.
  Presto Greatest Recordings of the 1970s.
  Penguin Guide (1974): Rosette.
  Presto Favourites (1974): Recommended Recording.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (1999): First Choice.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2007): First Choice.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2016): First Choice.
  Gramophone Magazine (2026): 100 Greatest Recordings.

• The 9 Symphonies (Remastered).
  Symphony No. 7.
  Philharmonia Orchestra.
  Otto Klemperer.
  Warner Classics.

• The Complete Symphonies.
  Symphony No. 7.
  Kammerakademie Potsdam.
  Antonello Manacorda.
  Sony.
  Opus Klassik Awards (2023): Nominated Conductor of the Year.

• Symphonien 1 – 9.
  Symphony No. 7.
  Berliner Philharmoniker.
  Sir Simon Rattle.
  Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings.
  BBC Music Magazine (2016): Disc of the Month.
  Diapason d’Or de l’Annee (2016): Winner Musique Symphonique.
  Presto Recording of the Week (2016).
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2016): Finalist.

• Revolution Vol. II: Symphonies 6 to 9.
  Le Concert des Nations.
  Jordi Savall.
  Alia Vox.
  Gramophone Magazine (2022): Recording of the Month.
  Gramophone Awards (2022): Finalist Orchestral.
  International Classical Music Awards (2023): Nominated Symphonic Music.

• The Symphonies.
  Symphony No. 7.
  Minnesota Orchestra.
  Osmo Vanska.
  BIS.
  Gramophone Magazine (2009): Editor’s Choice.
  Gramophone Awards (2009): Finalist Orchestral.

About Coram Deo

Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.