Beethoven: The Ninth Symphony

by David Benjamin Levy

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, a masterpiece that has influenced virtually every Western composer since its premiere, has become associated with the marking of momentous public occasions. In 1989, Chinese students played its finale through loudspeakers in Tiananmen Square, and Leonard Bernstein led a performance in Berlin to celebrate the razing of the Berlin Wall. This lively and up-to-date book focuses on Beethoven’s Ninth, exploring the cultural and musical meanings that surround this powerful work of genius. David B. Levy sets the scene with a brief survey of nineteenth-century Germanic culture and society, then analyzes the Ninth symphony in detail with special emphasis on the famous choral finale. He discusses the initial performances in 1824 under Beethoven’s direction and traces the symphony’s critical reception and legacy. In the final chapter of the book, Levy examines interpretations of the work by prominent conductors, including Wagner, Mahler, and Weingartner. A fully annotated discography of selected recordings completes this comprehensive volume.

Genres: Music

246 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2003

Reviews

[Wiom biom · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the first book i've read from this genre and i really enjoyed reading it! the book is split into several sections -- origins of the work, technical analysis, early performances and reception, performance traditions -- which makes it an ideal read for practically anyone! personally, my favourite section was the technical analysis of the various movements of the symphony. levy managed to critically analyse the various musical aspects of the piece (tonality, metric, etc.) without it being dry or dense; with sufficient knowledge of music theory and familiarity with the piece itself, going through his insightful analysis is indeed rewarding and highly accessible. the brevity of his writing was also really appreciated.

even though I still am not a huge fan of the symphony, i've come away with a more nuanced understanding of the piece which will undoubtedly inform my future listens.

fav part of symphony: when the chorus sings "alle Menschen" four times in the finale! levy's vivid and evocative description of that moment is something i'll probably never forget.

"The soloists express in a childlike round their happiness that their 'magic' of joy has succeeded in reconciling and reuniting 'all that custom has strictly divided'. The chorus, unable to resist the enthusiasm of the soloists, joins in the round as part of a crescendo of celebration."

an accessible, enjoyable, comprehensive, well-written study of a seminal masterpiece

[Joshua Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although at times his tone came across as arrogant, Levy’s book is an important addition to my library. I especially enjoyed his ideas of formal analysis of the last movement of the symphony.

[Miguel · Rating 4 out of 5]

diu super symphoniæ circumjacentibus, maxime quod placebit. duo tamen haudquaquam meo judicio probanda, videlicet singula posse absque aliorum lectione capitula, unde non poterat quin sæpiuscule nimiæ exorirentur iterationes. non ipsæ tamen dolendæ, sed ex eis consequens est filum non posse per totum librum teneri. hoc imprimis patet ex Iº atque III/IIIIº capitulis. haud semper ea in universum de symphonia dicta necti possunt cum firmissimia ea de singulis analysi — aut potius, non dubito quin possit, neque fit. nihilo setius liber facile placitus laudandusque.

[Manuel Sotomayor · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Time seems to have been suspended indefinitely". Es a este punto a donde te lleva la Novena. Y en este libro se puede encontrar una revisión completa y accesible para lo mayoría de los mortales.

Si recomiendo que se bajen el app "9ª sinfonía de Beethoven" por Touchpress Limited https://appsto.re/pe/_Lo4J.i Ahí podrán acompañar los segmentos del libro y de las partituras ya que se hace un análisis de cada movimiento y cada parte. Así también sobre una historiografia de la partitura, las vicisitudes para el estreno, cuál fue el impacto en el público, cómo los diferentes músicos y directores (como Wagner, Schubert, Mendelsson, Mahler, Lizt, entre otros contribuyeron en darle forma a cómo interpretar cada vez mejor está monumental e insuperable sinfonía, con aportes a la partitura (tempo) y a la orquestación. Finalmente sugiere las mejores grabaciones que han habido hasta el momento.

Leer el libro me ha ayudado a conocer mejor aún esta maravilla.