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Listening Guide
Beethoven: Symphony #9 in D Minor
Introduction
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is widely regarded as one of the best works of classical music ever conducted — even non-classical music enthusiasts know the familiar 4th movement, “Ode to Joy”. Nicholas Cook, in this quote, describes the piece well:
“Of all the works in the mainstream repertory of Western music, the Ninth Symphony seems the most like a construction of mirrors, reflecting and refracting the values, hopes, and fears of those who seek to understand and explain it … From its first performance [in Vienna in 1824] up to the present day, the Ninth Symphony has inspired diametrically opposed interpretations”
While you agree with this sentiment or not, it remains a fact that Symphony #9, Beethoven’s last complete symphony, is a great piece of classical music that you should seek to understand.
History
As mentioned previously, Symphony #9 was Beethoven’s last complete symphony, written between 1822 and 1824. The symphony was commissioned by the Philharmonic Society of London in 1817, and the autograph was completed in February 1824.
The symphony premiered on May 7, 1824 and involved the largest orchestra ever assembled by Beethoven. Beethoven himself conducted, even though he was deaf — the orchestra ended several measures before he finished. The premiere ended with a supposed 5 standing…
