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    Violin Concerto in E minor Opus 64 (1) Felix Mendelssohn Download 'Violin Concerto in E minor Opus 64 (1)' on iTunes

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    Beethoven

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    Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the 'Ode to Joy'

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    Beethoven: Compositions, biography, siblings and more facts

    West Eastern Divan Orchestra Barenboim Vienna

    19. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the 'Ode to Joy'

    Symphony No. 9 is often nicknamed the ‘choral’ symphony, but it’s only the finale that features a choir. Using singers in a symphony was a wild idea at the time, but it seems to have paid off – Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony changed the face of classical music forever, and continues to inspire listeners and composers to this day!

    1. Image 1: Beethoven Haus Bonn
    2. Image 2: Ludwig's father Johann van Beethoven
    3. Image 3: Beethoven's brother
    4. Image 4: music manuscript violin
    5. Image 5: classical piano
    6. Image 6: Count Waldstein
    7. Image 7: Vienna
    8. Image 8: Bach's well tempered clavier
    9. Image 9: young Beethoven
    10. Image 10: Hofftheatre Vienna 21 images

    See the full gallery: Beethoven: Compositions, biography, siblings and more facts

    Beethoven latest

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    Beethoven and West Side Story

    Leonard Bernstein borrowed a famous Beethoven melody for West Side Story’s most emotional scene

    Bernstein, L

    Beethoven's great choral anthem is based on a poem by Friedrich Schiller

    What are the lyrics to ‘Ode to Joy’, Beethoven’s triumphant choral anthem?

    Sir Keir Starmer chooses Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’, the EU Anthem, as music that sums up the Labour Party

    Sir Keir Starmer says Beethoven’s choral anthem ‘Ode to Joy’ sums up the Labour party

    Leonard Bernstein conducted a monumental Beethoven symphony to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall.

    When Leonard Bernstein conducted an ‘Ode to Freedom’ after the fall of the Berlin Wall

    Bernstein, L

    The most memorable times classical music featured in the hit cartoon ‘Bluey’

    ‘Bluey’ soundtrack: the most memorable times classical music featured in the hit cartoon

    Discover Music

    Beethoven, Mahler and Dvořák all died after writing their ninth symphonies

    What is the Curse of the Ninth and does it really exist?

    Discover Music

    Violinist Esther Abrami and pianist Khatia Buniatishvili – beautiful and moving pieces of classical music

    10 most beautiful and moving pieces of classical music

    Discover Music

    Steibelt and Beethoven dual

    The pianist who dared to challenge Beethoven to a musical duel in Vienna – and his fate…

    The greatest pieces of music for cello

    These are factually the 15 best cello pieces in existence

    Discover Music

    From Mozart to Elgar: the best pieces of classical music for beginners

    15 timeless pieces to begin your journey into classical music

    Discover Music

    Best classical music

    See more Best classical music

    The 15 most famous tunes in classical music

    The 15 most famous tunes in classical music

    Discover Music

    Best symphonies: Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonin Dvorak and Florence Price

    The 15 greatest symphonies of all time

    Discover Music

    4 eras of classical music

    The 4 eras of classical music: a quick guide

    Discover Music

    A young Marin Alsop, Sir Simon Rattle, and Seiji Ozawa conduct their respective orchestras.

    The 25 greatest conductors of all time

    Discover Music

    Hildegard von Bingen, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Edward Elgar among the greatest composers in classical music history.

    30 of the greatest classical music composers of all time

    Best pianists of all time

    The 25 best pianists of all time

    Discover Music

    Latest on Classic FM

    Bradley Cooper says epic Maestro take felt like he was ‘levitating’ above the orchestra

    Bradley Cooper says he was ‘levitating above the orchestra’ in surreal Maestro conducting scene

    Bernstein, L

    Curtain call for English National Opera's 'Carmen' production in February 2023

    English National Opera to move north, relocating to new Manchester home by 2029

    ENO

    Princess of Wales tells of Lang Lang inspiration for budding pianist Princess Charlotte

    Princess of Wales tells of Lang Lang inspiration for budding pianist Princess Charlotte

    Lang Lang

    The Nation’s Favourite Carol with Viking on Classic FM

    Vote for your favourite Christmas carol in The Nation’s Favourite Carol with Viking 2023

    Christmas

    What are the lyrics to ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’?

    What are the lyrics to ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’, and what is the Christmas carol really about?

    Christmas

    From Mary Had a Little Lamb to Humpty Dumpty - the best nursery rhymes

    10 best nursery rhymes ever written

    Discover Music

    Once in Royal David's City

    What are the lyrics to ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ – and who composed it?

    Christmas

    Classic FM is the home of Christmas music

    Advent music: 10 best carols and hymns to begin the festive season

    Christmas

    Classic FM’s radio highlights for Christmas 2023, from carol concerts to the nativity

    Classic FM at Christmas: radio highlights in 2023

    Christmas

    Maria Callas’ most iconic photographs

    Maria Callas’ most iconic photographs, on her 100th anniversary

    Maria Callas

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