World premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in Vienna

May 7, 1824

German composer Ludwig Van Beethoven with the Rasowmowsky Quartet

The performance was conducted by Michael Umlauf under the composer’s supervision, in the Theater am Kärntnertor in Vienna. This was the composer’s first on-stage appearance in 12 years; the hall was packed with an eager audience and a number of musicians.

The premiere of Symphony No. 9 involved the largest orchestra ever assembled by Beethoven and required the combined efforts of the Kärntnertor house orchestra, The Vienna Music Society (Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde), along with a select group of capable amateurs. While no complete list of premiere performers exists, many of Vienna’s most elite performers are known to have participated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBfL6QX6q5w&t=1485s

Beethoven – Symphony No. 9 in D minor Op. 125 The choir of the Berlin German Opera and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

At the end of the performance (though some sources say it could have been after the 2^nd movement), it was said that Beethoven continued conducting even though the music had ended. One of the soloists stopped him and turned him around to accept his applause. The audience was well aware of Beethoven’s health and hearing loss, so in addition to clapping, they threw their hats and scarves in the air so that he could see their overwhelming approval.

More on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._9_(Beethoven)

#todaysmemory