Beethoven's Ninth

Related Content

• Classical Music for Dummies: Eight Composers for the Longing Musicalista in You
  June 3, 2011
• Our Top 5 Favorite Cartoon DJs, Including Skrillex In My Little Pony Form
  November 21, 2011
• L.A. Rising at the L.A. Coliseum Over the Weekend
  August 1, 2011
• Etsy: We Sift Through the Crap and Find Twelve Really Cool Gifts
  December 8, 2011
• Beethoven, As I Knew Him
  May 6, 2010

More About

• Ludwig van Beethoven
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media
• Classical Music

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Events Newsletter: What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

How could a deaf man produce a symphony? Ludwig van Beethoven did. His mid-20s found him battling an increasing ringing in his head and shortly thereafter he became completely deaf. Despite this seemingly fatal blow to his career, he went on to compose one of the most highly regarded, well-recognized and completely demanding symphonies ever. Beethoven’s ninth and final symphony is over an hour long—a gargantuan testimony to the hope and triumph of humanity and brotherhood (who couldn’t use a little of that nowadays?). It’s divided into four “movements” beginning slowly and methodically before building up to rich vocals and responding choruses. Beethoven himself was the conductor on opening night and, weeping, he turned to see, not hear, the applause of the crowd. The story behind this masterpiece is enough to jolt the human heart and renew a sense of thankfulness for all five senses.
June 4-6, 8 p.m., 2009