The Ninth Symphony, composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, was completed at the end of 1823. On May 7, 1824, the music was premiered at the Karennato in Vienna. Al Theater. The piece has four movements. This suite has long been considered Beethoven's highest achievement in the field of symphony. Welcome to read and refer to the following article to learn about the music knowledge of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
1. Introduction to the author
Beethoven (1770-1827) was the greatest German composer. Born in a civilian family in Bonn, Germany, he showed his musical talent very early and began performing on stage at the age of eight. In 1792, he went to Vienna for further study. Haydn met him and was allowed to become his student. He made his debut as a composer and pianist in Vienna in 1795. From 1798 to 1800, in addition to teaching piano, he devoted himself to composing music. In April 1800, a concert of novels, poems and literary works was held, establishing his status as a composer.
Beethoven’s main works include: 9 symphonies (leaving fragments of the Tenth Symphony), 3 overtures, 5 piano concertos, 1 violin concerto, 19 string quartets, string quartets 4 quintets, 8 piano trios, 10 violin sonatas, 4 cello sonatas, 32 piano sonatas, 20 piano variations, 24 piano pieces, and 3 marches. In addition, there are operas, oratorios, cantatas, masses, songs, etc.
In the feudal restoration era when all progressive ideas were banned, Beethoven still adhered to the political beliefs of "freedom and equality" and fought for freedom and ideals through his speeches and works. His works were influenced by the Enlightenment Movement of the 18th century and the German Sturm und Drang movement. They have distinctive personalities and have developed greatly compared with their predecessors. Beethoven was a master who spanned two centuries and bridged the classical and romantic schools of music. His creations were firmly rooted in the classical tradition, with a sense of musical logic, a sense of structural uniformity and a majestic musical style. Due to the requirements of social change and his own talents, classical music has been greatly developed and changed, becoming the source of Romantic music. In terms of musical performance, he touched almost all musical genres at that time, greatly improved the expressive power of the piano, gave it a symphonic dramatic effect, and made the symphony an important musical form that directly reflected social changes. Beethoven gathered all the masterpieces of classical music and at the same time opened up the path for music in the romantic period
2. Introduction to the music
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, also known as "Choral Symphony", Germany The highest peak and summary of composer Beethoven's entire music creation career. The work was created between 1819 and 1824. It premiered in Vienna on May 7, 1824. It was a huge success and received thunderous applause as many as five times. This symphony has a broad conception, profound thoughts, and rich and diverse images. It expanded the scale and scope of the symphony, beyond the genres and norms of the time, and turned it into a magnificent and full-featured work performed by a symphony orchestra, chorus, soloists, and duets. A magnificent ode to philosophy and heroism. Through this work, the author expresses the will of mankind to fight for freedom, and firmly believes that this struggle will eventually end with the victory of mankind, and mankind will surely gain joy, unity and friendship. The chorus of the fourth movement of this work is composed with the lyrics of "Ode to Joy" by the famous German poet Schiller, which is also the most famous theme in this work. From the inception to the completion of the work, the Ninth Symphony took Beethoven decades of hard work and was the pinnacle of his musical career. The entire piece takes at least an hour to perform from start to finish, but it doesn't feel lengthy or protracted at all.
Symphony No. 9 in D minor
Symphony No. 9 in D minor was composed by German composer Ludwig van Beethoven between 1819 and 1824. Because the fourth movement of the music includes a large chorus, later generations called it a "choral symphony". The chorus of the fourth movement was composed with the lyrics of the famous German poet Schiller's "Ode to Joy" and later became the most famous theme in the work.
Symphony No. 9 in D minor is recognized as Beethoven's highest achievement in the field of symphony and is the pinnacle and summary of his music creation career.
3. Music Appreciation
The work *** is divided into four movements:
The first movement is a not too fast and slightly solemn Allegro, in D minor , 2/4 time, sonata form. The first theme is severe and powerful, showing the image of hard struggle, and is full of great shock and tragic color. This theme was first played by the string section in a low and depressive atmosphere, and then gradually intensified until the whole orchestra played The whole theme is majestic, powerful and overwhelming.
The second movement is a very lively Allegro, in D minor, in 3/4 time, and a huge scherzo form. Beethoven broke the tradition of a slow second movement in classical symphonies. The theme of this movement is bright and uplifting, full of forward momentum, and has the characteristics of energetic Austrian folk dance music, but it also has an uneasy mood.
The third movement is a cantabile Adagio, in B flat major, in 4/4 time, with irregular variations. There are two themes, the first of which is full of contemplation and has strong lyricism and philosophy.
The fourth movement, Presto, D major, 4/4 time. Before the theme "Ode to Joy" begins, the music goes through the painful experience of a long instrumental section, containing memories of the first three movements. The core of the entire movement is the choral theme of "Ode to Joy". This is a huge variation, full of solemn religious overtones, and magnificent. It is a model work of cooperation between the human voice and the symphony orchestra. Through many variations on this theme, the music finally reaches the climax of the entire symphony and also reaches the highest peak of Beethoven's music creation. The duet and solo parts of the movement also give full play to the characteristics of each vocal range of the four singers.
4. Music Comments
As soon as the first movement begins, it expresses the ideological source of the entire work with a serious and grand momentum. In fact, this is the theme of struggle that has been repeatedly expressed in many of Beethoven's works, and it also reflects the inevitable process and hardship of struggle. The melody is ups and downs, sometimes depressing, sometimes tragic. It seems to be a scene of warriors constantly attacking the pass, advancing one after another in hope of victory.
The following second movement should usually be Adagio according to tradition, but Beethoven broke this convention and actually used a very lively Allegro. The theme of the entire second movement is bright and exciting, full of progress. The motivation seemed to give positive encouragement to the warriors who were fighting, and it seemed that people suddenly saw the warm sunshine and blue sky on the cloudy battlefield. At the same time, the main melody has the characteristics of the Austrian folk dance "Landerer", which is harmonious and danceable. But if you listen carefully, you will easily find that at the end of the movement, the melody begins to become more urgent again, vaguely revealing a very uneasy atmosphere.
The third movement is a slow movement, and Beethoven deliberately made innovations in the arrangement. This movement is much quieter and more serene than the previous two movements. Although the melody is gentle, it does not lose its gentleness. The famous French composer and music critic Berlioz commented that this movement is a "great movement". The third movement has two themes. The first theme is full of contemplation and has strong lyricism and philosophy. After the intense battle scenes shown in the first two movements, the third movement seems to be a brief lull in the war.
The fourth movement is the essence of the entire work and is usually divided into two parts: the prelude and the vocals. In some records, the fourth movement occupies a separate track, and some records divide the introduction part and the vocal solo, duet, and chorus parts into two tracks, but in fact, both belong to the fourth movement as a whole. The vocal part sings the poem "Ode to Joy" by the German poet Schiller. But before the vocal part comes on stage, the music goes through the agonizing experience of a long instrumental part, containing memories of the first three movements. This prologue is strong, resolute and thrilling.
Then the wooden pipe slowly introduced the theme of "Ode to Joy", like a ray of sunshine breaking through the dense clouds and spreading to the earth. The whole theme of joy gradually kicked off, and Beethoven's real ideal kingdom was right in front of him!
After a series of preparations, the vocal part finally surfaced and the singing of "Ode to Joy" began. With passionate lyrics and fast and majestic melody, "Ode to Joy" sings people's desire for the spirit of freedom, equality and fraternity. Of course, Beethoven did not copy Schiller's original poem, but made certain deletions and modifications based on his own unique ideas to meet the needs of the music. With the exciting lyrics and Beethoven's superhuman melody, as well as the solo and duet singing of four different voices and the chorus of the large choir, "Ode to Joy" has been sublimated, and those who appreciate it will get an unparalleled The strength and spiritual support of the people. At the end of the movement, this atmosphere is expressed to the extreme, and the whole work ends in an extremely bright and glorious scene.
Nowadays, "Symphony No. 9 in D minor" is recognized as Beethoven's highest achievement in the field of symphony. It is said that Ode to Joy is the pinnacle of Beethoven's symphonies, and the whole work seems to be a history of the struggle between Beethoven's life and his destiny. The first and second movements of the music are both in minor keys, showing Beethoven's ill-fated early years, with pain and despair always accompanying him and tormenting him. But he persisted and fought against fate tenaciously. Slowly, the pain turned into tranquility (third movement), and in the end he was completely liberated and gained true and eternal ultimate joy (fourth movement). Struggle has always been present in Beethoven's works. Especially the "Symphony No. 9 in D minor" can give infinite strength and hope to people struggling in the turbulent waves of pain and despair.