Beethoven’s Name Day Overture (Namensfeier-Overture, C major, op. 115) is the composer’s only concert overture. Composed in 1814–1815 at the time of the Vienna Congress ending the Napoleonic wars, it afforded Beethoven an excellent opportunity to earn popularity and make money with incidental works. However, this work goes back to a much earlier time. Beethoven had been working on it on and off since 1809. In 1812 for example he intended it as an introduction to his cantata-like arrangement of Schiller’s Ode to Joy (An Die Freude); the poem was eventually set to music in his Ninth). In 1814 it could have been performed on the name day of Emperor Francis on 4 October, but Beethoven failed to complete it on time. He put it aside and eventually finished it in March 1815.

The Overture received its world premi?re in Vienna on 25 December. The title, Name Day Overture, was given latterly and in 1825 it was still published as the Great C-major Overture. The work has a conventional structure. The solemn, march-like introduction with dotted rhythms (Maestoso), is followed by a sonata-form fast section in counterpoint (Allegro assai vivace). The main theme begins softly, gradually becoming louder, highlighting the effect of the explosive, humorous and occasionally bombastic forte passages. Although lacking a thematic connection, the work clearly shares the joyful atmosphere of Schiller’s Ode. (Laszlo Gombos)