Even those who know virtually nothing about music are familiar with the name, Ludwig van Beethoven. By extension, most people have heard of the Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125. It is Beethoven's final complete symphony, composed in 1824, and is one of the most celebrated works of the entire Western classical repertoire. Critics consider the 9th Symphony to be one of Beethoven's greatest masterpieces, and also one of the greatest musical compositions ever written. One reason why the symphony has become so legendary is because it was the first example of a major composer using voices in a symphony. The choral symphony's words are sung during the final movement by four soloists and a chorus. The words were taken from the poem "An die Freude" ("Ode to Joy") by Friedrich Schiller in 1785 (revised in 1803) and adapted by Beethoven.
A symphony as complicated and grand as Beethoven's Great 9th was obviously a feat to compose. But, did you know that throughout the process, Beethoven was completely deaf? He was commissioned in 1817 by the Philharmonic Society of London to compose the symphony, and it took him from 1818 to 1824 to do so. However, both the words and notes of the final product have sources dating from earlier in Beethoven's career. Most likely, he had already been thinking about the project for some time--perhaps before he even knew what it was to become. Old bits of musical material from Beethoven's notebooks and even previously completed works came together to create the 9th. As the story goes, the introduction of the vocal component proved most difficult for Beethoven. However, considering his handicap, the entire composition process must have been daunting.
For obvious reasons, Beethoven took pains to keep his deafness a secret. He confided in close family and friends, but very few outside of his inner circle knew of the handicap. So, how did he continue to get work and compose music without people realizing how deaf he had truly become? Well, here is a quote taken from a letter he wrote to Franz Gerhard Wegeler, a trusted friend and doctor (probably around June/July of 1801):
"... It is curious that in conversation there are people who do not notice my condition at all; since I have generally been absent-minded, they account for it in that way. Often I can scarcely hear someone speaking softly, the tones yes, but not the words. However, as soon as anyone shouts it becomes intolerable..."
Interesting, but it only explains how he managed to hide the problem in public. How did he manage to still compose music--and not just music, but music as groundbreaking and beautiful as Symphony No. 9? Well, as we said before, parts of the symphony had already been composed as other works. It can be assumed that many of these bits and pieces were composed while Beethoven still had some of his hearing left (he was not completely deaf until 1816.) The poem had also been written already, and Beethoven was very familiar with the words. In fact, he was supposedly quite passionate about the message they held. He could hear the sounds and notes clearly in his head; they just needed to be arranged properly. According to legend, Beethoven had the legs of his piano sawed off and placed the instrument on the floor. This way, he could feel the vibrations of the notes as he played.
Once the Ninth Symphony was completed, it of course had to be performed. The masterpiece premiered on May 7, 1824 in the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna. Beethoven wanted so badly to direct the symphony himself; however, after watching the deaf composer's failed attempts to direct in dress rehearsals, conductor Michael Umlauf stepped in to officially direct the performance. Beethoven stood alongside him, turning the pages of his score and beating time for an orchestra he could not hear. At the end, the audience broke out into riotous applause--and they honored Ludwig van Beethoven with five standing ovations. They also waved hats and handkerchiefs in the air and raised their hands so that Beethoven, who could not hear the applause, would at least see the gestures. As the story goes, he left the concert hall greatly moved.
We hope this story has helped to inspire our HillTop Records songwriters. It really goes to show that if you set your heart and mind to accomplishing something, you really can overcome incredible obstacles.
