Why did Wagner claim that Beethoven's 7th is an 'apotheosis of dance'?

Question

Is it due to its strong rhythm? But the Allegretto is quite slow. Can you provide me with other opinions?

Also, what about the last movement? I really enjoy that movement (I really do!) but that rhythm is too strong to call a dance. It's like leaping on a drunken horse.

Answer 1

That observation by Wagner is pretty famous. The reason behind is only in his mind, wherever it be now.
If I were in his shoes, I'd feel a call to dance in the bridge from the introduction (Poco sostenuto) to the Vivace in 6/8: tattà tatattà tatattà tatattà tatattà tattattà. What I adore in this symphony is the closing of first movement, with the dominating horns and trumpets, resuming the invitation to dance: tatattà (tatattà) tatattà (tatattà) ta ta ta ta ta and so on to close.
Yes, the Allegretto is slow (and A minor) but its surging over the central registers of the orchestra leaves a very dynamic impression.
A friend of mine used to refer to the Finale (Allegro con brio) as to a drunk slapping and punching around; here dance takes the form of a whirl, with rhythm in sixteenths and rigorous forma sonata.
All in all, the positive sense of rhythm is in relation to the events: in 1812 when Ludwig Van was writing 7th, the austrians were defending their land against Napoleon, only 4 symphonies before glorified by the dark-skinned german composer.
A personal reminder: I was in Turin in 1996 and Kurt Masur with the NY Philharmonic was "trying to start off " 7th, but a problem in the air conditioning system produced a fake rhythm in the background and Kurt couldn't sail off until they fixed it. Dance is dance, no discussion.

Answer 2

The allegretto is also almost the rhythm of a quadrille -- a rather stately dance. Not all dances were fast, ya know :-)

Wagner was simply making a statement about Beethoven's masterful use of rhythm. I probably wouldn't try to dance to it, unless I were trying to make people laugh -- or cry. Have you ever seen me dance? Not suitable for youtube....

Answer 3

Rhythm IS a key reason...and the slow movement is only part of the magic of this work.

All four movements use dance rhythms of different types...and (my opinion) I feel buoyed up whenever I hear it. I personally feel it it one of his greatest works...