Why Beethoven’s ninth appeals to democrats and despots alike
Since its first performance 200 years ago, few pieces of music have won such varied devotees
Ludwig van Beethoven’s ninth and final symphony was first performed on May 7th 1824 at Kärntnertor Theatre in Vienna. By then deaf, the composer took to the stage for the first time in 12 years to help conduct it, to a thunderous ovation. Since then, the roughly 70-minute symphony—and in particular its triumphant choral finale, “Ode to Joy”—has been admired by all kinds of audiences: left and right, democrats and totalitarians, capitalists and communists.
This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Something ⇔for everyone”
Culture May 11th 2024
- True tales of secrecy, opacity and outright thievery in art
- What strategies actually work to fight dying?
- Why Beethoven’s ninth appeals to democrats and despots alike
- How the chilli pepper has set fire to the internet in China
- In its 200 years the National Gallery has mirrored Britain
- American comedy has become too safe on TV
From the May 11th 2024 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Culture
Want to spend time with a different American president?
Five presidential biographies to distract you from the news
Los Angeles has lost some of its trailblazing architecture
How will it rebuild?
What firms are for
The framework for thinking about business and capitalism is hopelessly outdated, argues a new book
Greg Gutfeld, America’s most popular late-night host, rules the airwaves
The left gave him his perch
Astrology is booming, thanks to technology and younger enthusiasts
Gen Z is full of stargazing users
Why matcha, made from green tea, is the drink of the moment
Is it really a healthy alternative to coffee? Not the way Gen Z orders it