The Viennese correspondent for the Allgemeine Musikzeitung (AMZ) wrote that this first performance “was extraordinarily well conceived, full of incisive and new ideas.” Historisches Taschenbuch mit besonderer Rücksicht auf die Österreichischen Staaten (‘Historical Pocketbook with Special Focus on the Austrian States’) states: "Among the great instrumental compositions of this year, the first place belongs to the symphonies and concerti of Eberl [... who] had in a great concert at the beginning of 1804 for the first time stepped before the public with large compositions.
However, the same reviewer, who professed to be a strong advocate of Beethoven, criticized Beethoven’s Eroica, finding in it “too much that was shrill and bizarre, which makes an overview extremely difficult and thus unity almost is entirely lost.” In the first completely public performance of the Eroica on April 7, 1805 the reviewer stated the Eroica contained “very daring ideas... and was very powerfully carried out” but he also noted the “inordinate length and extreme difficulty of execution.” He continued: “There is no lack of striking and beautiful passages in which the force and talent of the author are obvious; but on the other hand the work seems often to lose itself in utter confusion.
It was performed again in Leipzig on December 4, 1806, and it earned renewed praise: “Eberl's Symphony in E-flat pleases us ever more by repeated hearings, and it must be heard often until one is a master over it, and can completely appreciate it...It is full of fire, luster, and wealth of invention.
We do not doubt at all that this symphony , where it is well performed, will achieve respect and lively effect, and also bring real honor to Mr.
"[3] Various works by composers Dall'Abaco, Locatelli, Cannabich, Carl Stamitz, Fils, Fränzl, Johann Baptist Wanhal, Leopold Kozeluch and Anton Eberl by Concerto Köln (Orchestra) Teldec 2564698899 [4](6 CD) (One CD contains three Symphonies by Eberl)