Eroica Symphony

Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major
Sinfonia Eroica
by Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven's title page which shows his erasure of dedication of the work to Napoleon
Catalogue	Op. 55
Style	Classical period
Composed	1802 (1802)–1804
Performed	7 April 1805 (1805-04-07): Vienna
Movements	Four

The Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55, (also Italian Sinfonia Eroica, Heroic Symphony) is a symphony in four movements by Ludwig van Beethoven. One of the composer's most celebrated works, the Eroica symphony is a large-scale composition that marked the beginning of Beethoven's creative middle-period.

Composed mainly in 1803–1804, the work is grounded in the classical symphonic tradition while also stretching boundaries of form, length, harmony, and perceived emotional content. It has therefore widely been considered an important landmark in the transition between the Classical period and the Romantic era.

Symphony No. 3 is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets in B♭, two bassoons, three horns (the 1st in E♭, C, and F; the 2nd in E♭ and C; and the 3rd in E♭), two trumpets in E♭ and C, timpani in E♭ and B♭ (in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th movements) and in C and G (in the 2nd movement), and strings.

The work is in four movements:

Depending upon the conductor's style and observation of the exposition repeat in the first movement, the performance time is between 41 and 56 minutes.