Beethoven: Symphonie Nr. 9

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Music reviews of Beethoven: Symphonie Nr. 9

Music Review: His greatest symphony
Rating: 5 Stars

A lot has already been written about this great symphony, so I will just add one interesting fact I learned about it that most people probably aren't aware of.

There is an odd story behind the famous "Ode to Joy" theme in the first movement. When Beethoven was writing this symphony, Vienna was in the grip of a real musical craze, for--I kid you not--Turkish military band music. I don't know much about Turkish military band music myself, but it must have been pretty catchy stuff for early 19th century Austrians, because they were going nuts over it. This famous theme is the master's recognition of, and contribution to, this craze, and the Viennese loved it. Hence the use of the piccolo during this section, a popular band instrument.

This might also be example of the master's ironic musical sense of humor. Another example of this is the theme in the Lenore Overture which is played by the entire string section, where he basically makes them practice their scales in public. Beethoven also composed a piece called "Ich bin der schnieder cockadoo," which translates as "I am the taylor's cockatoo," so don't ever let anybody tell you that Beethoven didn't have a sense of humor.

Description of Beethoven: Symphonie Nr. 9

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