Why did so many of music’s great symphonists die after completing their ninth symphony? This week’s theme is the curse of the ninth symphony which began with Beethoven in the mid-1820s. Over time, the myth grew that when writing your ninth symphony, it would be your last and perhaps also your last year on earth. Beethoven’s ninth symphony is a massive work and takes over an hour to perform. We’ll sample five landmark compositions: the ninth symphonies of Beethoven, Schubert, Bruckner, Dvorak, and Mahler.
Curse of the Ninth! Ninth Symphonies
Playlist
Episode 1
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 in d minor, IV + excerpts
Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Sir George Solti
Symphony No. 9
Lon 417 800
28:33
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 in d minor, II + excerpts
Berlin Philharmonic / Karajan
Beethoven: Symphony No.9 In D Minor, Op.125 – “Choral” –
Excerpt From 4th Movement – 4. Presto
DG 421 987
17:19
Ludwig van Beethoven: Fantasia in C minor, Op. 80, Choral Fantasy (excerpts)
New York Phil/Bernstein; Serkin, p.
Rudolf Serkin Plays Beethoven
Sony 988302
:30
Episode 2
Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 9, D. 944, I, II, IV
Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Claudio Abbado
Schubert: Symphony no 9, Rosamunde Overture
DG 423656
47:32
Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 9, D. 944 (excerpts)
Berlin Philharmonic / Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphonie No. 9 / Symphonie No. 88
DG 447 439
2:40
Episode 3
Antonín Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95/B 178, From the New World, I, III
Berlin Philharmonic / Rafael Kubelik
9 Symphonies
DG 423 120
17:36
Antonín Dvorák: Symphony No. 9, II
Dvorák Festival Orchestra of New York/Richman
Dvorak: Symphony No 9
Music & Arts 1078
12:14
Antonín Dvorák: Sonatina for Violin and Piano in G major, Op. 100/B 183
Josef Suk, p.; Lincoln Mayorga, p.
Dvorak: Symphony No 9
Music & Arts 1078
4:04
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 (excerpt)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Sir George Solti
Symphony No. 9
Lon 417 800
:05
Antonín Dvorák: Symphony No. 9, IV
Czech Philharmonic / Václav Talich
Talich 13, Dvorak: Symphonies Nos 8 and 9
EMI 75483-2
11:15
Trad., arr. Burleigh: “Deep River”
Dvorák Festival Orchestra of New York / Steven Richman
Dvorak: Symphony No 9
Music & Arts 1078
2:31
Episode 4
Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 in d minor, WAB 109, I (excerpt), II
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra / Bernard Haitink
Bernard Haitink – The Philips Years
Phi 442 049
12:30
Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 9, III
Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Sir George Solti
Symphony No. 9
Lon 417 295
0:26:52
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 9 in D Major, III
Vienna Philharmonic / Claudio Abbado
Symphonien Nos. 9 / Symphonie No. 10 – Adagio
DG 423 564
12:25
Episode 5
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 9 in D Major, I
Vienna Philharmonic / Claudio Abbado
Symphonien Nos. 9 / Symphonie No. 10 – Adagio
DG 423564
0:27:17
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 9 in D Major, IV
Vienna Philharmonic / Bruno Walter
Symphony No. 9
EMI 62965
18:10
Ludwig Van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 in d minor (excerpt)
Berlin Philharmonic / Herbert von Karajan
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 / Coriolan Overture
DG 421 987
2:32
