Beethoven's Ninth Symphony Term Paper by ABCs
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
A discussion of the struggles involved in Ludwig von Beethoven's composition and premiere of the Ninth Symphony.
# 113169
| 1,091 words
| 1 source
| APA
| 2009
| 
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Description:
The paper reveals that what makes Beethoven's Ninth Symphony so remarkable is that its composer was deaf when he wrote and performed it. The paper discusses the hasty, ill-timed and imperfect execution of the symphony in Vienna and the critical audience responses to his final symphony. The paper also discusses how other critics, however, received the premiere of the Ninth Symphony favorably, demonstrating the deep respect for Beethoven by acknowledging the difficulties associated with staging a live concert while being unable to hear anything.
From the Paper:
In spite of the optimism surrounding it, staging the premiere in Vienna turned out to be disappointing for the composer. For one, Beethoven could barely conduct his own symphony. His hearing loss was by 1824 so complete as to render his conducting practically useless. Beethoven still took to the stage and engaged in what have been called "over-the-top theatrical gesturing" while musicians paid attention to the timekeeping gestures of the concertmaster Michael Umlauf (Huscher, 2007). Umlauf did not steal the stage from the verable Ludwig von Beethoven, though."Ludwig von Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was his last, completed and performed in 1824 in Vienna. Incorporating a Friedrich Schiller poem "An die Freude," ("To Joy"), Beethoven set a theme for one of the most magnificent classical choral compositions. The integration of choral elements into a symphony was wholly unique: the first time a composer had ever undertaken a task so ambitious. The Philharmonic Society of London commissioned the symphony in 1817, and Beethoven took six years to compose it. The symphony undulates, proceeding through moments of restive peace and near-quietude to shockingly loud crescendos. However, what makes Beethoven's Ninth Symphony so remarkable is that its composer was deaf when he wrote and performed it. The composition and premiere of the masterpiece proved an enormous struggle for the hearing-impaired musician."
Sample of Sources Used:
- Huscher, P. (2007). Program notes: Ludwig von Beethoven. Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved July 7, 2008 from http://www.cso.org/main.taf?p=5,5,5,104
Cite this Term Paper:
APA Format
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (2009, March 22)
Retrieved October 01, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/term-paper/beethoven-ninth-symphony-113169/
MLA Format
"Beethoven's Ninth Symphony" 22 March 2009.
Web. 01 October. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/term-paper/beethoven-ninth-symphony-113169/>