Wagner referred to Beethoven's Seventh as the 'apotheosis of the dance', noting that rhythm is the music's prime motivating force. Time and time again throughout the symphony, Beethoven takes a small rhythmic idea and runs with it over and over as if mesmerised by the intoxiating power of its repetition, climaxing in a final coda of overwhelming joy and excitement. In this concert, music by Beethoven is paired with an operatic overture by the contemporary composer that he most admired, Luigi Cherubini.










