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
Black and White photo of a Hand outside a window
Playlist
Episode 1
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 in d minor, I.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Sir George Solti
Symphony No. 9
London 417 800
1:13
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 in d minor, I.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Sir George Solti
Symphony No. 9
London 417 800
1:00
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 in d minor, Adagio
Berlin Philharmonic / Karajan
Beethoven: Symphony No.9 In D Minor, Op.125 – “Choral” –
Excerpt From 4th Movement – 4. Presto
DG 421 987
15:53
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Fantasia in C minor, Op. 80, Choral Fantasy (excerpts)
New York Phil/Bernstein; Serkin, piano
Rudolf Serkin Plays Beethoven
Sony 988302
2:47
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 in d minor, II + excerpts
Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Sir George Solti
Symphony No. 9
London 417 800
1:00
Beethoven, Ludwig van: 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
1:28
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 in d minor, II + excerpts
Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Sir George Solti
Symphony No. 9
London 417 800
1:29
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 in d minor, II
Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Sir George Solti
Symphony No. 9
London 417 800
24:33
Episode 2
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 9, D. 944, I.
Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Claudio Abbado
Schubert: Symphony no 9, Rosamunde Overture
DG 423656
16:32
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 9, D. 944, I, II, IV
Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Claudio Abbado
Schubert: Symphony no 9, Rosamunde Overture
DG 423656
0:30
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 9, D. 944, II. Exceprts
Berlin Philharmonic / Wilhelm Furtwängler
Symphonie No. 9 / Symphonie No. 88
DG 447 439
3:32
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 9, D. 944 II.
Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Claudio Abbado
Schubert: Symphony no 9, Rosamunde Overture
DG 423656
15:20
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 9, D. 944 IV.
Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Claudio Abbado
Schubert: Symphony no 9, Rosamunde Overture
DG 423656
15:25
Episode 3
Dvorák, Antonín: 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
9:23
Dvorák, Antonín: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95/B 178, From the New World, Largo
Dvorák Festival Orchestra of New York/ Richman
Dvorak: Symphony No 9
Music & Arts 1078
12:13
Dvorák, Antonín: Sonatina for Violin and Piano in G major, Op. 100/B 183
Josef Suk, violin; Lincoln Mayorga, piano
Dvorak: Symphony No 9
Music & Arts 1078
4:04
Dvorák, Antonín: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95/B 178, From the New World, III.
Berlin Philharmonic / Rafael Kubelik
9 Symphonies
DG 423 120
8:04
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Symphony No. 9 (excerpt)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Sir George Solti
Symphony No. 9
London 417 800
0:05
Dvorák, Antonín: Symphony No. 9, IV
Czech Philharmonic / Václav Talich
Talich 13, Dvorak: Symphonies Nos 8 and 9
EMI 75483-2
11:15
Traditional, arr. Burleigh: “Deep River”
Dvorák Festival Orchestra of New York / Steven Richman
Dvorak: Symphony No 9
Music & Arts 1078
2:31
Episode 4
Bruckner, Anton: Symphony No. 9 in d minor, WAB 109, I (excerpt)
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra / Bernard Haitink
Bernard Haitink – The Philips Years
Philips 442 049
1:45
Bruckner, Anton: Symphony No. 9 in d minor, WAB 109, II. Scherzo
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra / Bernard Haitink
Bernard Haitink – The Philips Years
Philips 442 049
11:12
Bruckner, Anton: Symphony No. 9, III. Adagio (Finale)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Sir George Solti
Symphony No. 9
London 417 295
2:52
Mahler, Gustav: Symphony No. 9 in D Major, III. Rondo Burleska
Vienna Philharmonic / Claudio Abbado
Symphonien Nos. 9 / Symphonie No. 10 – Adagio
DG 423 564
12:25
Episode 5
Mahler, Gustav: Symphony No. 9 in D Major, I
Vienna Philharmonic / Claudio Abbado
Symphonien Nos. 9 / Symphonie No. 10 – Adagio
DG 423564
27:17
Mahler, Gustav: Symphony No. 9 in D Major, IV
Vienna Philharmonic / Bruno Walter
Symphony No. 9
EMI 62965
18:10
Beethoven, Ludwig Van: 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
