Beethoven's 7th

When my undergraduate orchestra was rehearsing the second movement of Beethoven's 7th symphony, our rather dramatic conductor described the underlying bass rhythm as "that is the heartbeat of humanity."

Tom Hooper, director of the recent hit film "The King's Speech," may have thought of that same rhythm as the march of soldiers in a nation preparing for war.

At the end of the film, King George VI overcomes his struggle with a speech impediment in a scene of triumph but also of ultimate irony, as his victory is achieved during the delivery of his broadcast on the outbreak of Britain's declaration of war with Germany.  His words become the libretto for Beethoven's 7th symphony which accompanies the speech in the film, bolstering the heaviness of his message to the British people and the rest of the world on 3rd September 1939.

Whether heartbeat of humanity or marching of soldiers or an undying steadfastness and resolve, the rhythmic cello and bass material continues throughout the whole movement, underlying the king's words:  "In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our history, I send to every household of my peoples, both at home and overseas, this message, spoken with the same depth of feeling for each one of you as if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself."

The upward rising melody briefly touches on a major cadence and alludes to an effort at peace:  "Over and over again we have tried to find a peaceful way out of differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies."

The melody--barely more than an exercise in counterpoint from music theory class--is traded amongst the violins, violas, and lower strings; once for each time the camera cuts to a different group of people gathered round their radio.  "For we are called, with our allies, to meet the challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilised order in the world."

Gradually more insistent brass join the strings, lending increasing resolve and calling the nation to arms  "for the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, and of the world's order and peace, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge.  It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home and my peoples across the seas, who will make our cause their own."

The rise and fall of the upper voices and the persistence of the bass make it difficult to decide whether melody or accompaniment is more important.  The meoldy's brief brushes with a major key further convolute the the ominous message of "dark days ahead" that "can no longer be confined to the battlefield" with a call for the hope, requisite optimism, and resolve of "do[ing] only the right as we see the right...we shall prevail."