Beethoven 9. Symphonie schnell erklärt | klassik shorts

BR-KLASSIK

15 Feb 201905:32

Summary

TLDRThe video script celebrates the monumental impact of Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th Symphony, a groundbreaking work that expanded symphonic expression with its length, orchestration, and inclusion of choral vocals. Despite initial criticism and Beethoven's personal struggles with deafness and political disillusionment, the symphony, particularly its 'Ode to Joy' finale, became a symbol of humanism and unity, influencing countless artists and even serving as the basis for the European anthem. The piece's profound message of freedom, equality, and brotherhood resonates as a life-affirming testament to the human spirit.

Takeaways

🎼 The 9th Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven is considered a monumental work in the history of classical music that left a lasting impact on other composers.
🏆 Beethoven's symphony was so groundbreaking that it was described by critics as 'the non plus ultra' and challenged other composers to surpass its excellence.
🎵 The symphony's finale, featuring the 'Ode to Joy' by Friedrich Schiller, expanded the genre by incorporating vocals, which was a bold move at the time.
🤔 Beethoven's decision to include the choir was not an easy one; he only made this choice a few months before the premiere and even considered removing it later.
👨‍🎤 The 'Ode to Joy' was controversial among some of his contemporaries, like Louis Spohr, who found its implementation trivial and hard to reconcile with Beethoven's genius.
🌫️ The symphony begins with an ambiguous and enigmatic introduction, using falling fifths to create a sense of a primordial cosmos that is clarified throughout the work.
🛤️ Beethoven's unconventional structure places the calm, slow movement as the third rather than the second, providing a serene interlude before the climactic final movement.
🎶 The 9th Symphony is widely recognized as one of the most popular pieces of classical music, inspiring countless people and artists.
🌏 Today, the 'Ode to Joy' serves as the European anthem in a slightly modified form, reflecting its enduring influence and significance.
💿 The length of a standard CD was based on the duration of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, ensuring that the entire work could fit on a single disc.
👂 Despite being completely deaf at the time of the symphony's premiere, Beethoven's work remains a powerful testament to his artistic vision and the themes of humanism, freedom, and equality.

Q & A

What is the significance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony in the history of classical music?
-Beethoven's 9th Symphony is significant for its innovative use of vocals and text, expanding the symphony genre beyond purely orchestral music. It was so groundbreaking that it left other composers at a loss for decades, and it is considered a life-affirming work that celebrates humanism, freedom, and equality.
What did critics say about the finale of Beethoven's 9th Symphony?
-Critics referred to the finale as the 'non plus ultra,' indicating that it was the highest point of achievement and that surpassing this masterpiece seemed impossible.
How did Beethoven expand the symphony with the inclusion of vocals?
-Beethoven expanded the symphony by incorporating the human voice and text, specifically using Friedrich Schiller's 'Ode to Joy,' thus adding a theatrical element to the purely orchestral music.
What was the reaction of composer Louis Spohr to the 'Ode to Joy' in Beethoven's 9th Symphony?
-Louis Spohr, a well-known composer of the time, found the implementation of the 'Ode to Joy' to be trivial and could not understand how a genius like Beethoven could write it down.
How did Beethoven's decision to include a choir in the 9th Symphony affect the composition process?
-Beethoven's decision to include a choir was not made until a few months before the premiere, and he even considered cutting it out later to replace it with instruments, indicating that he struggled with this bold choice.
What is unique about the structure of Beethoven's 9th Symphony?
-The 9th Symphony is unique in its structure as it places the calm, slow movement as the third movement instead of the second, providing a haven of calm before the intense final movement and chorus.
How did Beethoven's personal circumstances influence the composition of the 9th Symphony?
-Despite being completely deaf and in poor health, Beethoven composed a work that is a celebration of life, affirming humanism and political ideals such as freedom, equality, and brotherhood.
What is the significance of the 9th Symphony being the European anthem?
-The 9th Symphony, in a slightly modified form, serves as the European anthem, symbolizing unity and shared values among the nations of Europe.
How did the length of the 9th Symphony influence the development of CDs?
-The length of Beethoven's 9th Symphony was a factor in determining the capacity of CDs, as the inventors wanted the entire symphony to fit on a single disc.
What is the symbolic meaning of the phrase 'All people become brothers' in the context of the 9th Symphony?
-The phrase 'All people become brothers' symbolizes the universal message of unity and brotherhood that Beethoven intended to convey through his music, emphasizing the shared humanity and equality of all people.
How did Beethoven's deafness affect his ability to conduct the premiere of the 9th Symphony?
-At the premiere, Beethoven, being completely deaf, had to be turned around by a friend to see the audience's applause and cheering, as he could not hear the response to his work.

Outlines

00:00

🎼 Beethoven's 9th Symphony: A Revolutionary Masterpiece

This paragraph introduces the monumental impact of Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th Symphony, which challenged the norms of the symphony genre and left a lasting impression on the music world. It discusses how Beethoven's work, through its innovative use of vocals and the 'Ode to Joy' by Friedrich Schiller, expanded the symphonic form to include a theatrical element. The paragraph also touches on the initial criticism and controversy surrounding the symphony, as well as Beethoven's own hesitations and the eventual triumph of the piece. It highlights the symphony's length, its unique structure, and its profound influence on future generations, culminating in its adoption as the European anthem and its significance in the development of the CD format.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven is a pivotal figure in the history of Western classical music, renowned for his innovative compositions and profound influence. In the context of this video, he is the composer of the 9th Symphony, which is considered a monumental work that expanded the symphonic genre by incorporating choral elements and a humanistic message.

💡9th Symphony

The 9th Symphony, also known as the 'Choral' Symphony, is Beethoven's final complete symphony and is celebrated for its groundbreaking use of vocals and its profound thematic content. The video emphasizes its impact on the genre and the challenges it posed to composers who followed Beethoven.

💡Ode to Joy

The 'Ode to Joy' is a poem by Friedrich Schiller that Beethoven adapted into the choral finale of his 9th Symphony. It embodies the symphony's message of universal brotherhood and joy, and its inclusion in the symphony was a bold and innovative move that some critics found controversial at the time.

💡Humanism

Humanism is a philosophical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively. The video describes the 9th Symphony as a 'celebration of humanism,' highlighting its affirmation of freedom, equality, and brotherhood, which are central themes of the Enlightenment ideals that inspired Beethoven.

💡Critics

In the script, critics are portrayed as having a mixed response to Beethoven's 9th Symphony, with some finding the inclusion of the 'Ode to Joy' trivial and others marveling at the work's innovation. The term 'critics' here represents the diverse opinions and reactions to Beethoven's bold artistic choices.

💡Louis Spohr

Louis Spohr was a composer and violinist of Beethoven's time who is mentioned in the script for his critical view of the 'Ode to Joy' in Beethoven's 9th Symphony. His perspective illustrates the controversy and debate surrounding Beethoven's innovative approach to symphonic composition.

💡European Anthem

The 'Ode to Joy' from Beethoven's 9th Symphony has been adapted into the 'European Anthem,' symbolizing unity and shared values among European nations. The video mentions this to underscore the enduring legacy and influence of Beethoven's work beyond the realm of music.

💡CD

The video mentions that the length of a CD was based on the duration of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, which is a testament to the work's significance and the desire to accommodate such a monumental piece of music in a new technological format.

💡Deafness

Beethoven's deafness is a well-known aspect of his personal struggle and artistic perseverance. The video script notes that Beethoven was completely deaf when he composed the 9th Symphony, which adds to the poignancy of his life-affirming message and his ability to create despite his personal challenges.

💡Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and the pursuit of knowledge. The video script suggests that Beethoven's political ideals were influenced by the Enlightenment, and his 9th Symphony can be seen as a musical expression of these ideals.

💡Finale

The finale of Beethoven's 9th Symphony is highlighted in the script as a 'non plus ultra,' an unparalleled achievement in music. It is described as a culmination of the symphony's themes and a moment of defiance and celebration, reflecting the composer's boldness and artistic vision.

Highlights

Composers like Beethoven can create works that are universally admired and awe-inspiring.

Beethoven's 9th Symphony was groundbreaking, leaving other composers at a loss for decades.

Critics praised the finale of the 9th Symphony as the ultimate achievement in music.

The 9th Symphony set a new standard that composers had to compete against.

Beethoven pushed the boundaries of symphonic expression with his 9th Symphony.

The 9th Symphony is unusually long, lasting over an hour.

Beethoven introduced vocals into the symphony, expanding its expressive range with the 'Ode to Joy'.

Some critics, like Louis Spohr, found the inclusion of 'Ode to Joy' trivial and hard to reconcile with Beethoven's genius.

Beethoven struggled with the decision to include the choir, even considering removing it before the premiere.

The 9th Symphony begins with a sense of uncertainty and exploration, unlike traditional symphonies.

Beethoven's unconventional structure places the calm, slow movement third, before the monumental final movement.

The 9th Symphony is one of the most well-known and beloved pieces of classical music.

The music has had a profound and lasting influence on countless people and artists.

In a modified form, the 'Ode to Joy' serves as the anthem of the European Union.

The length of a standard CD was based on the duration of Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

Despite being completely deaf, Beethoven composed this monumental work.

At the premiere, Beethoven could not hear the applause but was turned to face the cheering audience.

The 9th Symphony is a life-affirming work that celebrates humanism, freedom, equality, and brotherhood.

Beethoven's personal struggles and political disillusionment did not prevent him from creating this uplifting masterpiece.

The wild intensity of the finale can be seen as a defiant, life-affirming statement.

The 9th Symphony ends with a powerful message of unity and brotherhood among all people.