9th Symphony: Why Beethoven did not want to go to London
Actually, it was the London Philharmonic Society that ordered two new symphonies from Beethoven. Instead, the world premiere of the Ninth Symphony took place in Vienna. Beethoven's stubbornness and his negotiating skills were to blame.
A melody for millions
When the Viennese concertgoers heard this music on May 7, 1824, there was nothing to keep them on their seats. For forty minutes they saw singers standing silently next to the orchestra. Before the "Ode to Joy", Beethoven put his audience on torment.
William Wordsworth's England (1950-05) by N R FarbmanLIFE Photo Collection
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was commissioned by the London Philharmonic Society. As early as 1817 the Concert Society invited the Viennese composer to London to write two symphonies and perform them there.
LIFE Photo Collection
But Beethoven was well occupied at the time. He was writing his Hammerklavier sonata, struggling with his health, and in the dispute over his nephew Karl, he had completely exhausted himself. Although Beethoven felt flattered, he demanded more money. A shock for the Society.
Sketchbook "Rolland" for Symphony No. 9 op. 125, 3rd movementBeethoven-House Bonn
Although this first attempt came to nothing, Beethoven now collected sketches and ideas for a symphony "where singing voices enter in the last piece". His standards are high: "True art is obstinate, it cannot be forced into flattering forms."
In July 1822, Beethoven asks in London how much the Society would be willing to pay for a symphony. But by this time Beethoven already had concrete ideas about his symphony - based on a text by Friedrich Schiller. Completely unthinkable, in English!
LIFE Photo Collection
Only six months after the premiere did the London Philharmonic Society receive the score of the work. Beethoven could not be persuaded to cross the English Channel. For the Society, his ideas about travel costs were simply too expensive.
Sinfonie Nr. 9 (d-Moll) op. 125 (1826) by Ludwig van BeethovenBeethoven-House Bonn
Instead, Beethoven considered that his new symphony would attract most attention if he dedicated it to a well-known head of state. At first he thought of Tsar Alexander I of Russia - but he died in 1825 and the dedication went to Frederick of Prussia.
Since 2001, the score of the 9th symphony has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it is well preserved in the Berlin State Library. The London version is in the British Library.
You're ready!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.