University of Notre Dame Faces Intense Disappointment
Notre Dame, Beethoven's Eroica Symphony, and Napoleon: A Tale of Idealism and Disillusionment
In the grand halls of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Henry IV once proclaimed, "Paris is well worth a mass." This statement, made during the siege of Paris in 1593, encapsulates a sense of grandeur and ambition that would later resonate with one of the world's greatest composers, Ludwig van Beethoven.
Beethoven, inspired by the spirit of revolution and freedom, initially dedicated his Third Symphony, later known as the Eroica, to Napoleon Bonaparte. The symphony, composed in 1802, was a tribute to the revolutionary ideals symbolised by Napoleon, who was then moving across Europe. The second movement of this symphony is profoundly beautiful and settles into stillness, reflecting the contemplative nature of life's greatness and misery.
However, Beethoven's admiration for Napoleon waned when the latter declared himself Emperor in 1804. This act was seen as a betrayal of republican and revolutionary ideals, prompting Beethoven to withdraw the dedication and rename the Third Symphony Eroica (Heroic Symphony). This renaming was central to the controversy, symbolising Beethoven's shift from praise to rejection of Napoleon.
Notre Dame, while not directly connected to the music, represents the French revolutionary and cultural context that shaped Beethoven’s political and artistic views. The cathedral stands as a monumental symbol of French culture, history, and revolution, embodying the political and social upheavals that shaped Europe and inspired Beethoven’s revolutionary ethos in music, including the Eroica and his opera Fidelio.
Beethoven's Eroica Symphony, initially dedicated to Napoleon, reflects the composer's revolutionary admiration. However, Napoleon’s self-coronation as Emperor led Beethoven to withdraw the dedication and rename the work, symbolising his rejection of Napoleon's perceived betrayal of freedom and democratic values.
The controversy centers on Beethoven’s shift from praise to rejection of Napoleon and his struggle to express revolutionary ideals through his works such as the Eroica and Fidelio. This complex interplay highlights the tension between artistic idealism and political realities in Beethoven’s time.
In a more symbolic sense, the sentence "Paris is well worth a mass" has been used to justify many inconsistencies and betrayals of one's own identity. It serves as a reminder of the human desire for greatness and heroism, a desire that Beethoven, Bach, and many others sought to express through their art.
Today, Notre Dame of Paris has been reopened, standing as a testament to the enduring power of art, history, and the human spirit.
[1] Beethoven, L. van (1802). Symphony No. 3 in E♭ major, Op. 55, "Eroica". [2] Beethoven, L. van (1805). Opera Fidelio. [4] Bach, J.S. (1713). Cantata No. 82, "Ich habe genug".
[1] By dedicating his Third Symphony, later known as the 'Eroica', to Napoleon Bonaparte, Beethoven aimed to convey his admiration for the revolutionary ideals embodied by the French leader.[2] However, when Napoleon declared himself emperor, Beethoven retracted the dedication and renamed the symphony, mirroring his disillusionment with the French leader's betrayal of his initial principles, a shift heavily influenced by the spirit of music.
