Beethoven's Greatest Work... Explained
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ก.ย. 2020
- A Guide to Beethoven's 9th Symphony (Full Analysis): • A Guide to Beethoven's...
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A talk through of Beethoven's 9th Symphony - Why The Ninth matters, what makes it special, and what has made it resonate through history.
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Hi - I've spent the last few weeks building something special. It's basically my answer to both "How do you get the MOST out of listening", and "Where do you start with Classical Music" - it takes you through 14 masterpieces of classical music, and each piece is carefully chosen to teach you a core principle that applies to pretty much all classical music.
My aim is to teach you how to listen - how to feel what the music is expressing, and understand what's going on in the music - all through 14 pieces!
If you're interested in this - it's absolutely free! You can find it at: www.insidethescore.com/14-pieces
Thanks - and you'll be seeing several more video essays over the coming weeks!!
FIRST
(don't mind me)
You’re welcome 😇
Thanks!
Would you make a video about Mozarts Jupiter Symphony?
Thank you very much.
I like how he ends the video with "oh... and he was completely deaf when he wrote it" Such a flex for Beethoven
Beethoven is a flex for music.
I mean you don't need to hear the paper when you write music.
spoiler
@@chickenflavor9880 I d say that may be true if just writing a melody. But the Ninth? I guess since he was deaf, he could hear it in his head. But this is the Ninth! Probably the greatest pieces of music in western civilization. The magnitude! The complexity! And he added not just the voice, but voices and choir! And he was deaf! I'm sorry but if you can't appreciate that then I'm thinking you're a teenager or in your early twenties. No offense
Dude was a straight up phenomenon. We've had incredible musicians like Prince, Eddie Van halen, Jimi Hendrix, ect, all of whom could do things with their instruments that nobody else could but I don't think we've ever had another *composer* like Beethoven. His knowledge of musical theory was completely unmatched and I strongly believe that knowledge would hold up today if he were somehow still alive. To write parts for so many different instruments without playing most of them is a feat in itself but to do that while going deaf and creating some of the greatest musical works of all time is just absurd.
A 5-part fugue within a sonata within a scherzo within a scherzo-movement. 🤯🤯🤯
Symphception
@Friska_ 🤯
The fact that a man famous for his dark and epic compositions chose to write an "Ode to Joy and Friendship" when he was in his darkest hour, in failing health and completely deaf, still brings me to tears. I just love Beethoven so much!
Imagine writing the 5th & 6th symphonies at the same time. It's even greater contrast. One is a very personal triumph over despair, and the other is like "I don't know I'll graze with the sheep"
Same for me. I cry each and every time I listen to this symphony
Completely agree. The Ninth brings me to tears of joy every time I hear it.
Same here
same here
Saaaaameeeeee
It gives me goosebumps
same here
The first movement always gets me. It's like the inevitable tide of destiny. It starts small, builds up and despite people trying to fight against it, it triumphs anyway. I get goosebumps every single time I listen to it.
Bruh I get goosebumps just from reading your description and remembering what a feat of art that first movement is. Possibly my favorite movement in all of classical music.
...and slipping a funeral march in at the last bars. Some pieces are a collection of goosebump-moments and yet you hear everytime something 'new' on them, no matter how often you hear it.. The ninth is one of them, alongside the Missa Solemnis and Bach's St. Mathew Passion. When these pieces are performed and the last sounds are played, I always feel kind of lost, that it's over. The rest of the night I don't speak and carrying the magic of music in my head as long as possible. Yes I love Beethoven so very much, it sometimes almost hurts. Oh.. and BTW: I LOVE fugues especially those by Ludwig or Johann Sebastian!
Its so sad Beethoven never heard his symphony :(
When the 9th was premiered for the first time, a person had to tug on Beethoven's jacket at the end of his last movement so that Beethoven can see the standing ovation that he deserves
😢
His deafness spared him from hearing it performed imperfectly. He only ever heard it perfectly in his mind.
@@sungillk12 but then he must've had the fear it was performed imperfectly without being able to correctify it.
On his deathbed, he said “I shall hear in heaven!”
Beethoven heard it alright. He just never heard it performed.
Being deaf actually has you making music in your head throughout the day because your head isn't full from the sounds around you. That's my experience with being partially deaf and a music boi.
On the other hand, many composers said they were inspired by the sounds they heard around them.
@@starless5668 of course, that's always fun to do, but the lack of sound makes noises I can hear in contrast much more pronounced
Very interesting
Except the fact Beethoven had tinnitus...he heard constant ringing in his ears and nothing else
@@geoffbarney5914 sure, mac, sure.
“How old and emotionally broken are you?”
“Oh, just at that level that whenever anyone even talks about the beauty of ‘The Ninth’ I start crying.”
Thank you for this. I’m always in awe of this piece of music. So blessed that I had the chance to perform part of this in high school
This comment is strikingly very veery relatable.
This comment is indeed strikingly very relatable
are you spying me?
Ur not alone
This 1st movement melted my brain when I first heard it.
Sounds painful haha
As much as I try to listen to Mahler and others who tried to outdo Beethoven’s Ninth, I cannot deny that Beethoven’s Ninth moves me the most. What I find compelling is that, despite its unconventional length, the symphony progresses from event to event rather quickly. The symphony feels big but never too long because Beethoven does not waste a note in any part.
True words my friend
Mozart: "poetry must forever be the obedient daughter to music"
Beethoven: "Hold my stein"
You must’ve never heard Mozart’s operas
@@shayanmardanbeigi2697 I'm quoting Mozart. He literally said this, so take it up with him.
@@shayanmardanbeigi2697 Lmfao, blud just got ratio'd in TH-cam comments-
*in best Count Dooku impression "I've been looking forward to this"
@Evil Morty twice the pride double the fall
In the best Palpatine impression: 'A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.'
Went to see it live this Saturday for the first time, truly a supernatural experience
I really want to do this at some point. Me and my dad were going to, but weren't able to at the time. Which was lucky, because we later found out that they had a power cut and weren't able to perform.
Seeing it on Dec 31. Can't wait
This is probably the composition that makes me feel the most. The finale makes me cry and almost faint sometimes.
You said it well Alex. Sorry for us drifting away
@@usernotfound6475 What do you mean? I'm confused.
Álex the Benighted a few months ago we where talking on through discord. I believe I met you through Smalins channel.
@@usernotfound6475 I guess you changed your profile image. I'm worse remembering names.
Álex the Benighted oh no worries
Beethoven's 9th is the greatest musical achievement ever.
I always say, 'arguably, the greatest work', because it is, yes, an opinion, yet, let's discuss, and we can argue this point.
It by far not only "the ninth" but also his other symphonies and also his wonderful and absolutely unmatched piano concertos.
One day, listening to all piano concertos, thinking "what masterpieces!", I learned he was just a 21 yr old kid when he began composing the Emperor. What an outstanding composer he was...
The difference between Mozart and Beethoven is the period. Mozart was at a time of peace, while Beethoven was at a time of tremendous change. Beethoven's time was the time of The Enlightenment, and Beethoven drank a lot of coffee at the time. Beethoven was also at the time of Napoleon, notice the change in clothing at the time. During Mozart's time, everyone wore wigs, but by Beethoven's time, there was no more wigs and everyone wore top hats and bonnets. The aristocracy was at the time of transition, and that really influenced Beethoven's music, along with the fact that his father beat him to deafness. This made his music a lot more gloomy and dramatic in contrast to Mozart's brilliant star power. Beethoven's music goes far beyond the ego, there's many depth in emotions in his music, the tragic, yet compelling. If you know his life, and how his deafness affected his personality (really cannot tell people at the time about his deafness), his music begins to be a lot more than what most people know it is.
Btw, Ode to Joy is the official anthem for the EU. This music basically the song of peace. He composed this song as a way to make peace for himself in his late years. It's that brilliant.
Beutifull
The EU's motto could be "Einheit macht frei" (Unity makes you/us free).
The similarity to "Arbeit macht frei" is intentional.
In a sense, this video too is an hymn to joy.
I see what you did there......brilliantly cheeky
Ludwig van Beethoven was a one-every-thousaund-years genius who gifted humanity with the greatest piece of music ever written. I'm thankful for this.
Personally I don't believe there will EVER be another composer to achieve even a fraction of Beethovens brilliance and creativity.
200 years later and we are still in awe! That’s all that needs to be said.
I am a crusty old Marine Corps veteran, but I get teary-eyed every time I hear The Ninth. Not even the Marine Corps Hymn moves me like the fourth movement of Beethoven's Ninth. Your film is a superb study of this work, and a deeply eloquent piece of classical music journalism. Thanks a million.
Wowww. I'm so excited too see the Beethoven's ninth analysis.
The amazing thing about Beethoven is that he never stagnated, he was already working on a 10th symphony. His late string quartets, written after The Ninth, are considered even more important to musical intellectualism, philosophy and spirituality. He was never satisfied with his previous achievements.
Only music can join people together for sure. The ninth is the pinnacle of this concept. Masterpiece that will be playing for thousands of years. Nothing could get to that level
Your channel is a true miracle on this platform. Thank you, for everything.
This channel is fantastic.
I just stumbled on it a few nights ago.
I expect to be "binge watching" for the foreseeable future.
I'm an "armchair" classical fan, Beethoven the most.
I have rudimentary music knowledge.
Some of these classics just draw me, like iron to a magnet.
I am looking forward to learning a lot of the mechanics from your "14 pieces"!!
I felt that Brahms's First Symphony was more inspired by Beethoven's Fifth becasue you hear that 'short-short-short-long' motif all over Brahms 1. However, if you want to talk about choral symphonies, Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis" could be considered a pure choral symphony, as it is a symbiotic unity of voice and orchestra throughout the work. That would be a cool piece to introduce to listeners unfamiliar with the work.
How about the choral fantasy?
Even your description of the piece is making me tear up a bit. Never has a single piece of music impacted me so deeply, made me so emotional. I must say, though, that his Choral Fantasy comes very close. Methinks that might have been a test-bed for The 9th.
I'm very greatful to find your channel, this videos are becoming better and better!!
I can't wait for your 9th symphony analyses video.
You deserve more subs!!👏👏
That was one of the best, inspiring and greatest Video I have every Seen on TH-cam... thank you!
This symphony did not only change music, it changed THE WORLD
...
Beethoven’s 9th is so revered that, sometimes, I forget it’s actually music.
It's more than music, it's an experience!
I think his 10th symphony would have been better. The fragmented sketches are intriguing enough.
I think music is the greatest thing the humanity has created.
Thank you for the brief walking tour of the NINTH! Magnificent.
Truly a masterpiece indeed. When thinking about Beethovens symphonies, I often categorise them as Haruki Murakami once did: "odd for large, even for small". The grouping of large, even enormous, doesn't seem to quite hold the 9th though
Gabriel Sol Frechtling In the Netherlands we had a writer who had a whole book written about categorizing Mahler’s symphonies in two “types”, going from the one to the other and back, and so on (from systolic to diastolic to systolic and so on). A hypothesis that held no water whatsoever, of course (hinging on linking Mahler’s psychology, events in his life and his heart condition). It is an amusing read though.
I get what you're saying but I don't agree because the sixth and the eighth are not small. Just because they're not loud and powerful doesn't mean they're small. That's just my humble opinion thank you
@@katrinat.3032 I agree. The sixth is monumental in that it is programmatic and instills visions of the countryside.
Playing guitar, I find it hard to write music for just one instrument. I can’t imagine writing an entire symphony, let alone it being the greatest of all time.
EXACTLY! I have no idea how clever and complex his brain must've been
Great video as expected! Its really remarkable how you talk in such a short time yet with so much essence, and make it all really entertaining with good edition. I would also like to recommend a video on Mozart’s requiem!
Thank you! I've been waiting for this video. Happy Birthday Beethoven.
On another note --- LISTENING PARTY: Beethoven's 9th - Sunday 20th September, 1pm EST! Where you'll get me talking through the symphony in depth as we all listen to it in sync as a community (And you can comment too!)
Discord link is here - and you'll need Spotify:
discord.gg/cEy3Mj8
Just stumpled across your channel. Keep up the amazing work! Simple and short explanations for some of the most complex musical works. Your videos also available as podcasts? Would be very enjoyable
I've been saving this one for when I'm more mature.
André de Lacerda Santos you think your ready for it?
Heheh, it was one the first symphony I heard complete, I don't know if it was a mistake, 😅
@@Robert_1685 yeah the mass is very thicc
on 10/9/2020 I'm going to hear it live for the first time in my live
You done well with this!!
Thanks for your great and beutiful explication that helps appreciate even more the greatness of this piece. Even before your vidieo I could feel that it was very special and could pierce not only Beethoven's deaf ears but also my limited music knowledge.
Imagine the psychological effect that this must have had on Brahms to discover that he (Brahms) was born on the 9th anniversary of the world premiere of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, one of the most towering achievements of Western art. For a serious composer the intimidation factor must have been enormous. It's no surprise to me that he couldn't bring himself to produce his first symphony until he had reached the age that Beethoven was when he had already composed six.
Absolutely superb, thank you.
The Inception reference was perfect! 👌🏻😂❤️
A truly brilliant production! Well done! A fine tribute to what must surely rank as the sine qua non of symphonies…
your video, your text, has made me cry... symply thrilling
I get goosebumps every time I listen to the final part of the fourth movement. It really is one of the greatest achievements in human history, especially considering he was completely deaf when he composed it. It's just the combination of soloists, chorus and orchestra that gets me, as well as the many different themes and melodies introduced by each individual soloist. Truly one of the greatest masterpieces of all time.
I didn't know that about the 74 minutes on a CD. Just to fit the 9th.
Other fun fact: Steinway and Sons pianos was publicly traded for a while, but recently purchased by a wealthy investor in NYC (John Paulson). Probably more of a sponsorship than ownership.
I don't think Paulson bought it to make money.
When Steinway was public, the stock symbol was LVB - Ludwig van Beethoven.
On the point of Philosophy - Mahler is also called a philosophical composer. Which is a huge thing in research revolving just around that fact to narrow down his inspirations. Quite interesting and gives a whole new perspective to his pieces. He himself also gave comments on some of his own symphonies explaining the philosophical motivation behind it.
I put Mahler's Eighth right up there with Beethoven's Ninth, in a similar spiritual realm.
This channel is amazing
Thank you so much!
Your intro reeeally got me :D
Grosse Fuge, String Quartet No. 14 and Sonatas 29-32 are like "what?" Not underestimating the greatness of the 9th, but there isn't really a definite best Beethoven's piece imho, maybe the most mainstream (ninth). Grosse Fuge or Hammerklavier , for example, were like literally 100 years forward in the future of music.
Opus 131 is the absolute of absolute music, indeed
Nice video. Thank You. I tried searching the quick guide to the ninth, but i didnt find it on your channel🧐
I've always seen the 9th, and particularly the 4th movement, as the mightiest piece of Western classical music.
Whenever I see a patient in my practice with cochlear implants who can perfectly hear me, I immediately think of Beethoven whose deafness overshadowed his life and he never lost hope that someday he would be able to hear but in the end he accepted the fact that he can hear music only in his head.
I haven't been to a symphony (?) Before. I'd love to go hear this live! I love Beethoven!
Whilst there is lots of options for classical music live, I do think everyone, if they get the chance, should experience the 9th played live by professional musicians once in their life.
WE NEED MORE!
Mozart is my master, but I can say that the 9th is literally perfect. One of my favorite uses of the 9th is in a little known Christian Bale movie called Equilibrium.
In a world where all human emotion has been removed via drugs to bring about world peace, but at the cost of what makes us human. Bale's character happens upon a contraband phonograph and what follows is the most poignant scenes I've ever seen that expresses the beauty and power of music. I dare you not to tear up at witnessing a human being experience the sheer power and beauty of music for the first time ever, Beethoven's 9th in particular.
He is literally overwhelmed and it's beautiful.
It doesn't belong to one particular nation, Beethoven composed it for humanity...
As a metal guy, I always recommend my buddies listen to and learn more about classical pieces. There's a surprising number of structural and conceptual similarities between classical epic symphonies and modern metal pieces, such as the heavy use of harmonics, dissonance, polyrhythms, drone sounds in the background, massive sound, tons of aural information coming at you non-stop so you really have to actively listen and analyze as you go to "get it" and really appreciate the artistry.
ew
Suddenly I feel one 'Like' isn't enough 😢
Thank you, what a great video.
I have see amazing music live throughout my life including blues, rock, opera and much more. However the absolute pinacle of sensory experience was the 9th live on a hot August night in a 2000 year old Roman arena in Verona. This still leaves ne breathless when I think about it.👌✨
I've probably listened to it over a hundred times in the last years.
the ninth literally makes me cry 3VERY SINGLE TIME I HEAR IT
5:36 the quote "Where music can go no further, …" is from E.T.A. Hofmann.
@enigma and for me classical music creates emotions that don't have names. It's often a journey of emotions. I think that's what makes it universal
I love the third symphony the most, but I can’t deny that the ninth is also one of the greatest pieces ever written. The first time I ever heard it I was in awe.
The third movement is my most played piece of classical music, obviously the entire symphony start to finish is the whole, but the third movement tugs my heart so. 💖
Could do a video on a specific Bach piece like you did here? Like maybe one of his passions or maybe his well tempered clavier works.
Bravo!
I particularly like the brass band in the 4th movement before the action really gets going. Very earthy, but also uplifting.
I've listened to this symphony quite a few times. To be honest, at first, I only really liked the second movement; the other three just weren't really accessible to me. Then over a few listens the 3rd movement really captured me (that one is my favorite) and then the 1st and then the 4th. It's complex music and very interesting how good music just unfolds over time.
So true!
I made my way thru 'the Ninth' in exactly the same order as you did !
I had goosebumps throughout the whole video
The symphony premiered in 1824, and the Napoleonic wars had ended a little less than 10 years before. Surely thoughts of the devastation they had wrought on Austria and Europe must still have been present in people's minds. Hence the timeliness of Beethoven's appeals to brotherhood, perhaps?
From the title I thought it would be the Missa Solemnis!
Same here
This guy is a great teacher
it is a very remarkable work for sure
so enjoyable
Subscribed
👍👍
3:00 Also, in 2001 at the Last Night of the Proms, taking place on the first Saturday after the 9/11 attacks, the fourth movement was among music pieces (along with Barber's Adagio For Strings) performed instead of the usual Rule Britannia pomp etc. as a mark of respect and a show of unity.
That is so cool thanks for posting that
I disagree. This is not Beethoven's greatest work. This is the single greatest piece of music composed by man. Every time I hear it, I can't help but smile, laugh with joy, or be so moved even to tears. Nothing, I repeat, NOTHING has ever come close to this piece of music.
And yes, the fact the Beethoven was completely deaf at the time is a mark of his absolute genius.
Omg most awaited
And to think that this piece will get lost when humanity vanishes..
Thank you so much :) I love that symphony too much
when humanity vanishes.. this fall.
How do you know it's not playing in heaven?
BRAAAAAAM: a movement within a movement within a movement! :-)
La obra esta en lo más alto del Olimpo musical y de las emociones más profundas del ser humano
great !
YAYYYYYYYYY THANK YOU
You’re welcome
@@sammywestenberger9303 wasn't talking to you but okay
Beethoven's greatest symphony, yes - the greatest by anyone, by common (tho not universal) consent. But his greatest single work? The composer didnt think so -- he considered the Missa Solemnis, completed simultaneously, to be his finest composition up till then and the final string quartets which followed embodied for him the pinnacle of his musical thought. Most Beethoven connoisseurs since have agreed - the op 131 quartet & the Grosse Fugue op 133 in particular have each been called by many composers & critics the most profound piece of music ever written (others confer that designation upon the Bach Chaconne, & who can argue against any of them?). Even the utterly sublime 3rd movement of the 9th, the highest level orchestral writing has ever reached, cannot achieve the expressive depth & intimacy allowed in chamber or solo music. And the stature of the 9th will always bear an asterisk due to the sharp disagreements about the appropriateness of the finale, which have simmered since its premiere. Not that such arcane disputes will ever influence the opinions of concertgoers; the Ninth remains the summit of the standard repertoire & likely always will.
More people should watch this video.
Every Easter - and only then - I listen to the Ninth. Magical experience...
Why at Easter and no other time?
Third, I guess.
Love your videos.
Lol
I've seen The Ninth thirteen times; as far east as Wilmington, DE as far west as El Paso, TX and several cities in between.
Actually, if I remember correctly, Shostakovich's "underwhelming" 9th Symphony was composed that way to spite Stalin, who originally commissioned an epic, patriotic work for some national event. He even got banished(?) from the USSR because of that.
Also, The Ninth wasn't really universally acclaimed during Beethoven's time. There were critics who questioned the use of choir in it. Giuseppe Verdi himself said "The alpha and omega is Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, marvellous in the first three movements, very badly set in the last. No one will ever approach the sublimity of the first movement, but it will be an easy task to write as badly for voices as in the last movement."
But still, the whole work makes me tear up, especially when we reach that famous, iconic Ode To Joy section in the 4th movement.
Please cover Beethoven's 7th Symphony as well.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the architecture of the seventh Symphony
Sharmishtha Sharma. You're right. Another one of Beethoven's supreme masterpiece's.
From where do you bring these words ..... 🔥🔥
It,s so hard to say one work was better than another, they are all so beautiful. If I had to pick one it would be his 7th.
I wish I could continue liking this video infinitely
There’s classical music, but then there’s The Ninth
Ngl this comment is kinda sacrilegious
@@Menarecuteaaa Cringe. Both of you.
*Bach's Mass in B minor would like to have a word with you*
@@Menarecuteaaa I totally agree