The Symphony of Bass in the Grand Narrative: On the Position and Function of Trombone in Beethoven's Symphonies

Abstract

Trombone is an important brass instrument and plays an important role in modern symphony orchestra. Trombone is different from other brass instruments. In the history of the development of western Musical Instruments, the shape and playing mode of trombone have hardly changed. However, the position of the trombone in Beethoven's previous symphonies was radically different. Beethoven is recognized as the first composer to bring the trombone from sacred to secular music. This article will list three symphonies composed by Beethoven that include the trombone. Through the research of the creation background of these three works, this paper discusses the trombone and explore the reason why Beethoven used the trombone here. In addition, this paper also briefly lists the position of the trombone in each symphony, and analyzes its functional characteristics, function and status in each Beethoven symphony. Beethoven's influence on the trombone is profound, and this paper hopes to analyze these three symphonies to draw out Beethoven's influence on the use of trombone by later composers.