18th century rationalism cultivated a singular admiration for what was natural and simple. In Haydn’s Die Jahreszeiten and Die Schöpfung, this ‘noble simplicity’ is expressed in clearly structured verses and well- balanced melody lines. This same Century of Enlightenment culminated unexpectedly in the French Revolution in 1789. Beethoven thought very highly of the still new revolutionary ideas which, in theory at least, set the fresh wind of democracy and freedom blowing through Europe. He expressed his initial admiration for Napoleon Bonaparte in his Third Symphony, which he even dedicated to the Emperor in 1803. This work was an unprecedented outburst of energy, emotion and power.