jan 1, 1824 - Ninth Symphony

Description:

The Ninth Symphony
1. Like the unidentical twin Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, the Missa Solemnis and Ninth
Symphony form another unofficial pair.
2. The Ninth Symphony is more unusual than any of his previous symphonies.
a. The first movement opens mysteriously with octave A’s that become the dominant of D minor, the tonic.
b. Beethoven switches the scherzo and slow movement.
c. The last movement is the most famous, opening with loud dissonance and confusion that leads to an instrumental recitative.
d. Fragments of previous movements return in the finale.
e. Seemingly out of nowhere, the now-famous “Ode to Joy” melody appears in the lower strings, monophonic. It grows in various textures and writings styles.
f. Almost seven minutes into the movement, the entire music heard thus far begins
again, this time with the recitative sung by a solo bass voice.
g. The Ode to Joy becomes the theme for continuing variation, pretty much for the
duration of the movement.
3. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony was a force to be reckoned with for the remainder of the
century.

Added to timeline:

Date: