Listening Guide

Beethoven: Symphony #9 in D Minor

Op. 125, “Choral”

Introduction

Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is widely regarded as one of the best works of classical music ever conducted — even non-classical music enthusiasts know the familiar 4th movement, “Ode to Joy”. Nicholas Cook, in this quote, describes the piece well:

“Of all the works in the mainstream repertory of Western music, the Ninth Symphony seems the most like a construction of mirrors, reflecting and refracting the values, hopes, and…