Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 "Choral"

Classical Music / Symphonies

 

The Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, "Choral", is a choral symphony, the final complete symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven, composed between 1822 and 1824. It was first performed in Vienna on 7 May 1824. The symphony is regarded by both critics and musicologists as a masterpiece of Western classical music and one of the supreme achievements in the history of music. It stands as one of the most frequently performed symphonies in the world. The most unique feature of “The Ninth” was that Beethoven included chorus and vocal soloists in the final movement. He was the first major composer to do this in a symphony.

The Ninth was the first example of a major composer scoring vocal parts in a symphony. The final (4th) movement of the symphony, commonly known as the Ode to Joy, features four vocal soloists and a chorus in the parallel modulated key of D major. The text was adapted from the "An die Freude (Ode to Joy)", a poem written by Friedrich Schiller in 1785 and revised in 1803, with additional text written by Beethoven. It held a lifelong attraction for the composer. Likewise, Beethoven's melodic setting of Schiller's Ode in the finale of Beethoven's Ninth was the product of an extended genesis.

Video:  Beethoven Symphony No 9 in D minor „An die Freude“ „Ode to Joy“ Claudio Abbado Luzern 98 (restored). Youtube, uploaded by Sonorum Concentus Beethoven. Accessed May 7, 2024.

 

 

In the 20th century, an instrumental arrangement of the chorus was adopted by the Council of Europe, and later the European Union, as the Anthem of Europe.

Beethoven's Ninth Symphony conclusively bridged the gap between classical and romantic music and set the standard for future composers through his use of the choral finale combined with past musical traditions. 

Trivia: 

"Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"

Many of us grew up singing this hymn. "The Hymn of Joy" (often called "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee", video uploaded by Martijn de Groot) is a poem written by Henry van Dyke in 1907 in being a Vocal Version of the famous "Ode to Joy" melody of the final movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's final symphony, Symphony No. 9.

"Ode to Freedom"

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Leonard Bernstein conducted this historic concert, on Christmas day 1989, in the Schauspielhaus Berlin (GDR), in a city no longer divided.  On the program was Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Op. 125, fifth  movement, V. Allegro assai vivace,  the final chorus of which became an ode, not only to joy, but to freedom. It was broadcast live in more than 20 countries, a radiant performance, breathing the joy and emotion felt at this turning point in history. Artists:  June Anderson, soprano; Sarah Walker, mezzo-soprano; Klaus König, tenor; Jan-Hendrik Rootering, bass; Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks; Members of the Rundfunkchor Berlin Kinderchor der Philharmonie Berlin, (Chorus Masters: Wolfgang Seelinger, Jörg-Peter Weigle, and Wolfgang Berger);

Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks; Members of the Sächsiche Staatskapelle Dresden; Orchestra of the Kirov Theatre Leningrad;  London Symphony Orchestra; New York Philharmonic and the Orchestre de Paris.

Some films that used Beehoven's Symphony 9

• "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" (1994)
• "A Clockwork Orange" (1971)
• "Cruel Intentions" (1999)
• "Dead Poets Society" (1989)
• "Die Hard" (1988)
• "Mr. Jones" (1993)

The curse of the 'ninth'

The curse of the ninth is a superstition connected with the history of classical music. It is the belief that a ninth symphony is destined to be a composer's last and that the composer will be fated to die while or after writing it, or before completing a tenth.

 

Interesting Links: 

The remarkable story of Beethoven’s ‘Choral’ Symphony No. 9 and the ‘Ode to Joy’. ClassicFM. May 2, 2024. Accessed May 7, 2024.

The Unique Story of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Posted by David Nelson, August 2, 2012. In Mozart's Footsteps. Accessed December 17, 2014.  

 

Resources:

Solomon, Maynard. Beethoven. London: Cassell & Co. Ltd. (Affiliate of Macmillan Publishing). 1977 

Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven). en.wikipedia.org. Accessed December 17, 2013  

The Hymn of Joy. en.wikipedia.org. Accessed December 17, 2013

(c) December 17, 2013. Updated May 7, 2024. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.