This year we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the greatest composers in the world. Often referred to as a musical genius and innovator, he wrote visionary music that expanded not only its own boundaries but also the limits of humanity itself, thus creating a magnificent legacy for mankind.
He was born in Bonn in 1770 into a musical family of Flemish origin. He made his first public appearance at the age of seven, and at the age of thirteen he became an assistant organist in the local court chapel.
In 1792, he went to Vienna, where he remained until the end of his life. In Vienna, he met Mozart and became a student of F. J. Haydn and A. Salieri, thoroughly studying canon, fugue, and vocal compositions. From 1795, he performed publicly, but in 1796, he began to gradually lose his hearing, which turned into complete deafness in 1819.
Although it was a devastating loss for a musician, it enabled him to hear music on a different level by delving into his inner world.
Here comes the autumn of my life, I wish to be And like those fruitful trees that just need a shake for ripe and juicy fruits to fall from them like rain.
A New Path of Symphony
The symphonies hold a central place in Beethoven’s instrumental works. They were all created between 1799 and 1824, during his mature years or, as he himself described it, in the “fruitful autumn of his life,” and each one is a unique artistic experience.
In his symphonies, he changes the existing classical structure, introduces equality among the string instruments, gives independence to the violas and cellos over the double bass. He individualizes the wind instruments and introduces trombones into the orchestra.
The culmination of all symphonies is undoubtedly the 9th symphony, which signifies a complete departure from classical symphonic frameworks and poses a challenge to performers and all composers who later composed symphonies. Richard Wagner called it the “pinnacle of music.”
It was conceived long before he started writing it. Some sketches date back to 1815, although it was only completed in 1824. e. Even in his youth, Beethoven was fascinated by the verses of Schiller’s poem Ode to Joy and wanted to incorporate them into his music. He would return to these verses for years and sketch possible themes around them. It was in his 9th symphony that he first introduced words, or rather, the human voice, using a passage from Schiller’s Ode to Joy.
This symphony was much more complex than any before it. Its performance required a large orchestra, choir, and four solo singers. The premiere featured the orchestra of the Vienna Kärntnertor Theater, the Vienna Music Society, and, it is believed, the most elite Viennese performers at the time. It premiered on May 7, 1824, and it was a significant event as Beethoven conducted once again after twelve years. The audience greeted him with ovations, hands stretched out, handkerchiefs and hats flew in the air to show their enthusiasm since they couldn’t hear it.
Although the symphony seems to follow the established symphonic model of four movements, nothing in this work is classical. In every aspect, it breaks from tradition and conventions. In this passage, we uncover the composer’s creativity and innovation, pushing the boundaries of music.
Do you worship him, millions?
World, do you know your creator?
Search for him in the heavens;
He must reside above the stars.
This symphony is a fusion of poetry, music, philosophy, and a moral message to mankind, providing the opportunity for interpretation on multiple levels. By listening to it, we enter a new world and let our imagination lead us through the expanses of music.
The entire first movement, Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso, is highly dramatic, yet still maintains a classical sonata structure. It begins as if emerging from a encounter with silence and moves through the vastness of infinity, leaving a sense of anticipation for the next events. We sense tension and uncertainty, expressed through constant changes in rhythm and melody, as if witnessing an internal struggle.
The second movement, Scherzo, is more rhythmic than melodic, combining a state of tension and playfulness; one can feel the energy and the earthly in its fullness, impatience in the search. and with pure joy. But is that the right path? Music portrays both despair and hope.
Although often overshadowed by other parts, the Scherzo begins with an innovation for that time – the timpani are not used only as rhythmic reinforcement but also as a solo melody. In this movement, the element of silence, or pause, also appears for the first time.
♪ Music is the intermediary between the spiritual and sensory life.
♪ Do not just practice your art, delve into its secrets, because it and knowledge can elevate man to the divine.
♪ Thousands of sounds, noise, and storms resided within me until I composed them on paper.
♪ What reaches the heart must come from above; if it does not originate from there, it will be only notes, a body without a soul.
Adagio molto e cantabile introduces us to rich lyrical music, tranquil idyll, and daydreaming. As if a new cycle is beginning, but it is only a small oasis of beauty that has grown from the drama of the previous movements. The storm in the soul is subdued, strength awakens, and courage grows. Another melancholic a unified celebration of life and all its aspects. The symphony showcases a diverse musical palette, incorporating elements of symphonies, concertos, classical variations, Turkish marches, and double fugues. In the finale, victory is not immediately celebrated; instead, a tense anticipation is created. Quietly and energetically, the theme of the hymn of joy emerges, simple and melodic, awakening instrument by instrument. The world gradually expands before us in all its beauty. The horizons of heaven open up, and everything good and beautiful becomes a part of the human heart and mind. The musical ecstasy touches the soul of every person and unites them as one. The joy of life grows until it reaches a triple takeoff: instruments, choir, and soloist, coming together in unity. This is unity in diversity, a fusion of the sacred and the profane, a celestial and earthly celebration.
Beethoven has left us a magnificent work of art and a philosophical epic; the idea of brotherhood among people and the idea of unity between humanity and the entire Nature. Immersing ourselves in it, we cannot help but wonder about the meaning of our lives and our role in the magnificent harmony of the universe.
With his music, Beethoven sought to enrich the human spirit, giving it the wings of happiness and the joy of life, pointing to the eternal path of renewal and the infinite possibilities that we have as human beings.