Sinfonie Nr. 3 Es-dur Op. 55 (Eroica) = Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 (Eroica) = 3ème Symphonie En Mi Bémol Majeur, Op. 55 ("Héroïque")

Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, known as the Eroica, was composed between 1803 and 1804 during a period of personal crisis for the composer. Originally intended to honor Napoleon Bonaparte, Beethoven famously retracted the dedication in a fit of rage upon learning that Napoleon had declared himself emperor, renaming the work to celebrate the memory of a great man. It remains a watershed moment in musical history, marking the transition from the Classical period to the Romantic era through its unprecedented length and emotional complexity.

The 1958 Deutsche Grammophon recording featuring Eugen Jochum and the Berliner Philharmoniker, cataloged as LPM 18179, represents a distinguished entry in the label's mid-century discography. Jochum was celebrated for his disciplined yet intuitive approach to the core Austro-German repertoire, and this performance was part of a broader effort by Deutsche Grammophon to document definitive interpretations of standard symphonic works for the high-fidelity era. The design follows the classic, austere aesthetic of the period's DG releases, prioritizing the iconic yellow tulip label design and clean, formal typography that emphasized the gravitas of the performance.