Exploring Ancient Greek Musical Art through Beethoven’s Works

In this lesson, we will introduce a very interesting piece of music through the lens of ancient Greek mythology. Although it seems niche, it is a remarkable and captivating work.

Exploring Ancient Greek Musical Art through Beethoven’s Works

1. Due to technical limitations, no recordings of music from ancient Greece have survived. Unlike paintings, which may endure despite the ravages of time, music from that era has left us no direct traces. Without recording devices or a system of musical notation, we have no way to truly understand the musical arts of ancient Greece.
2. The theater was highly developed in ancient Greece, and theatrical performances often included musical recitations. From this, we can infer that the musical art of ancient Greece must have been quite rich. While we cannot directly hear the music of that time, later musicians often used various forms of music to interpret ancient Greek stories. One of the most famous examples is Beethoven’s work “The Creatures of Prometheus”.
3. “The Creatures of Prometheus”, Op. 43, is also translated as “Prometheus’ Creation.” According to Greek mythology, Prometheus was the creator of humanity, making him a particularly significant figure in Western culture.
4. The background story of this composition involves the god Zeus leading the twelve Olympian gods in a war against the Titans who occupied Mount Olympus. Although Prometheus was not one of the main gods, he was a key figure in the victory. He molded human beings from clay and created mankind. Prometheus also secretly gave fire to humanity, which led to the birth of civilization. However, this act angered Zeus, and Prometheus was punished for it.
5. In ancient Greek mythology, Prometheus is the figure who best represents heroism. Zeus punished him by chaining him to a cliff in the Caucasus Mountains, where an eagle would eat his liver each day. The liver would regenerate overnight, subjecting Prometheus to a never-ending cycle of pain. Beethoven’s “The Creatures of Prometheus” symbolizes the idea that all human civilization stems from Prometheus’s creative act of stealing fire.
6. “The Creatures of Prometheus” was composed around 1800, at a time when Napoleon was the First Consul of the French Republic, and Beethoven was living in Vienna, which was part of the more backward and feudal Holy Roman Empire under the Habsburgs. In this work, Beethoven used Prometheus to symbolize Napoleon, as he believed that Napoleon’s leadership of the French Republic was leading people towards democracy and freedom, akin to how Prometheus brought fire to humanity.
7. Beethoven’s “Eroica Symphony” (Op. 55) is a major work written during a turning point in his life and was originally dedicated to Napoleon. However, after Napoleon declared himself emperor, Beethoven became furious and retitled the symphony “dedicated to a great hero.” The final movement of both works shares nearly the same theme, with only the orchestration differing, showing how Beethoven viewed Prometheus as a shining heroic figure.
8. The ancient Greek elements in “The Creatures of Prometheus” provide a glimpse into the music of that era. This work includes the harp, a rare instrument in Beethoven’s compositions. Many great composers have been cautious in using the harp because it is considered a “niche” instrument, primarily used for embellishment, producing a strange and enchanting sound, though its tone does not align with the general aesthetic of classical German and Austrian music. The use of the harp in this work likely holds special significance, possibly as a tribute to the characteristics of ancient Greek music.
9. The philosophers and scholars of ancient Greece were very similar to those in ancient China, valuing well-rounded individuals skilled in various arts. Greek philosophers often accompanied their poetic musings with music, and the predecessor to the harp, the lyre, was very popular in ancient Greece. Therefore, Beethoven’s unprecedented use of the harp in “The Creatures of Prometheus” can be seen as a homage to ancient Greece.
10. The sound of “The Creatures of Prometheus” is not the typical Beethoven style. Beethoven’s works are often heavy and majestic, leaving a grand impression. Although “The Creatures of Prometheus” is a symphonic piece, it is rather light and airy. This may be Beethoven’s way of evoking the artistic atmosphere of ancient Greece.

The overture to “The Creatures of Prometheus” is a very unique Beethoven composition, and I highly recommend that you listen to it attentively.