Death, Faith, Hope, and Victory; The Deaf Genius and Symphony No. 9

Barbican, one of the most important art centers in London, recently hosted thousands eager to watch Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, arguably the most famous symphony in the world; a performance by the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Christopher Warren-Green, featuring over seventy musicians and one hundred and twenty choir members. However, in the first part of the performance, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 was played, featuring British pianist Mark Bebbington, who has been dubbed the 'Champion of British Music' and has released over thirty CDs. Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 is his last piano concerto, created in 1809, and is considered by many to be the best in this collection. By the time it was completed, Beethoven had become completely deaf and, unlike his previous four works, he could not perform it on the opening night. The task was entrusted to Friedrich Schneider, who performed it on November 23, 1811, at its premiere in the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. Although the piece did not receive much acclaim at that performance, it was later highly regarded, and Beethoven allowed his publisher to use the title 'Emperor Concerto' for it. In 1809, Vienna was on the brink of occupation by Napoleon. Beethoven's house was near the city wall, and the creation of this work was often accompanied by artillery attacks, which are reflected in the first movement of the piece and are clearly recognizable. However, it is unclear why this piece is referred to as 'Emperor' in English; something that Beethoven would certainly not have been pleased with (in fact, when he heard that Napoleon had called himself 'Emperor,' he removed the dedication from one of his symphonies). Symphony No. 9 was commissioned by the 'Philharmonic Society' of London, and it was agreed that Beethoven would be paid fifty pounds. However, the Ninth Symphony has a different story. Beethoven's Eighth Symphony was performed in 1813, and there was no news of the Ninth Symphony for over a decade. The Ninth Symphony was performed in January 1824, when Beethoven was fifty-four years old. The great musician passed away just three years later. It is said that Beethoven worked on this piece for ten months before its presentation, but some believe he worked on this 'great' piece his entire life; a work that requires four soloists and a choir as well as a piano. This piece was commissioned by the 'Philharmonic Society' of London, which had agreed to pay Beethoven fifty pounds. Beethoven completed the work later than scheduled and witnessed its first performance on May 7, 1824, in Vienna, where he could not hear the audience's cheers but could see the hundreds of hats thrown into the air by the audience. The Philharmonic Society of London had to wait until the end of the year to perform this piece as a symphony written for the Philharmonic Society of London; a magnificent work about death, faith, hope, and triumph and victory. The most famous and memorable part of the piece is its final movement; when Friedrich Schiller's lyrics reach the word Gott (God), and the music swells until the choir goes silent and silence reigns, only to have the choir revive again to reach the ultimate climax, making it one of the most performed symphonies in the world, immortalizing it forever and gifting one of the most familiar pieces of music in history to the people of the world to hum in their solitude for nearly two centuries. London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Christopher Warren-Green; Barbican, London.