Due to his failing health, Ludwig van Beethoven completed on last complete symphony that classical music experts would suggest was his absolute best. Completed in 1824, Beethoven’s Symphony #9 in D minor is considered both his best piece ever as well as one of the most highly regarded and greatest contributions made to human history.

While other composers had used vocals in their symphonies, Beethoven was the first major composer that took voices and added it to the instrumental piece. By taking the words from Friedrich Shiller’s poem “Ode to Joy,” Beethoven was able to create the exact piece that he wanted for his symphony number 9.

History of Symphony Number 9

By the time Beethoven began working on his last symphony, he was already completely deaf. Therefore, he was unable to hear a single note that was played in the complete symphony; however, because of his ability to interpret vibrations, the man was able to create the exceptional work.

In 1817, the Philharmonic Society of London commissioned the symphony from Beethoven. The following year, he began to work on it and after six years, he completed it, presenting it to the society. However, while he was commissioned in 1817, there were bits and pieces of it that he had written as early as 1811. Therefore, some suggest that he might have known what some of it sounded like, but the entirety, he would never get to experience.

The Premier

Beethoven felt Berlin was the best place to reveal the piece because Vienna was heavily influenced by the Italian composer Rossini. However, because of this, Beethoven’s financiers and friends urged him to play it in Vienna and, after some persuasion, the premiere did take place there.

On May 7, 1824, it premiered in the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna. This was the first time in twelve years that the composer had been on a stage. Officially, the symphony was conducted by Michael Umlauf; however, Beethoven did share the stage. Umlauf told the orchestra to not pay attention to Beethoven’s conducting because Beethoven could not hear it and had, two years prior, conducted a dress rehearsal of one of Umlauf’s operas into disaster.

In the end, the symphony was received wonderfully. As was tradition, when an Imperial Family member entered a place, they were given three standing ovations. Beethoven, though, on completion of this symphony, was given five standing ovations. Police officers had to stop any further ovations to prevent insult to the Imperial family. Beethoven left that hall quite pleased with himself; however, the next show didn’t do nearly as well.