Chapter 59: Ludwig van Beethoven
The History of Essential Music, Chapter 59: Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 "Choral" (1824)
Symphony No. 9 “Choral”
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, is a choral symphony composed by Ludwig van Beethoven and completed in 1824. It is his final complete symphony and one of the best-known works in the Western classical repertoire. The Ninth Symphony is regarded by many as Beethoven's greatest work, and as one of the supreme achievements in the history of music. The choral finale, composed of four solo voices and a mixed choir, features the text of the "Ode to Joy", a poem written by Friedrich Schiller in 1785.
Year: 1824
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Album: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
Performer: Berlin Philharmonic & Herbert von Karajan
Genre: Romanticism, Symphony
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians in history. He was born in Bonn, Germany in 1770 and died in Vienna, Austria in 1827. Beethoven was a crucial figure in the transition from the Classical to the Romantic era in classical music, and his music is characterized by its emotional intensity and dramatic formal structures. He is best known for his nine symphonies, five piano concertos, and other works such as his Moonlight Sonata for piano and his Missa Solemnis for choir and orchestra. Beethoven was a groundbreaking composer who expanded the boundaries of what was considered possible in music, and his works have had a lasting influence on classical music. [Chapter 49]
Berlin Philharmonic
The Berlin Philharmonic (Berliner Philharmoniker) is a world-renowned German orchestra based in Berlin, Germany. It is considered to be one of the greatest orchestras in the world and is known for its exceptional musicianship, rich tone, and wide-ranging repertoire. The orchestra was founded in 1882 by a group of musicians led by the pianist and composer Hans von Bülow, and it quickly established itself as one of the leading orchestras in Europe.
The Berlin Philharmonic has had many distinguished conductors throughout its history, including Wilhelm Furtwängler, Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Abbado, and Simon Rattle. The current chief conductor is Kirill Petrenko, who started in the season 2019-20.
The Berlin Philharmonic is known for its innovative programming, which combines classic works with contemporary compositions. The orchestra has also been an advocate for new music, premiering works by many of the 20th century's most important composers, and commissioning many new works.
It also has a concert hall, the Philharmonie Berlin, which is one of the most acoustically advanced concert halls in the world, and a chamber music hall, the Kammermusiksaal, with exceptional acoustics. The orchestra has made numerous recordings, many of which have won awards and critical acclaim.
Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989)
Herbert von Karajan (1908–1989) was an Austrian conductor and one of the most renowned and influential musicians of the 20th century. He was the principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic for 35 years, and he also conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic, and the Philharmonia Orchestra.
Karajan was known for his elegant and precise conducting style, as well as his ability to extract superb performances from orchestras. He had a broad repertoire that ranged from the Baroque to contemporary music, but he was particularly associated with the music of Beethoven, Brahms, and Richard Strauss, and was also considered a leading interpreter of the music of Mozart, Bruckner, Tchaikovsky and more.
Throughout his career, Karajan made numerous recordings, many of which have become classics and remain popular to this day. He also appeared in several films and television productions, which helped to increase his fame and reputation. He led the Berlin Philharmonic on several tours around the world, and it was with this orchestra that he developed a reputation for being a great conductor.
New song of the day
Artist: Parannoul
Song: We Shine at Night
Genre: Shoegaze, Emo
Parannoul is a South Korean shoegaze musician who has released two solo albums, Let's Walk on the Path of a Blue Cat and To See the Next Part of the Dream. This is a new single.