👤 whose
Whose Symphony Was the First to Include a Choir?
musichistory
Quick Answer
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (1824) was the first major symphony to include vocal soloists and a choir.
The Full Story
Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, premiered on 7 May 1824 in Vienna, was the first major symphony to incorporate vocal soloists and a full choir in its final movement. The famous "Ode to Joy" melody, set to Friedrich Schiller's poem, has become one of the most recognised pieces of music in the world. Beethoven was almost completely deaf by the time he composed it. The work expanded the boundaries of the symphonic form and influenced generations of composers. The "Ode to Joy" is now the anthem of the European Union.
Key Facts
1.Beethoven had to be turned around to see the audience's enthusiastic applause — he could not hear it.
2.The premiere used a significantly enlarged orchestra and chorus.
3.The Ninth Symphony takes about 65–70 minutes to perform, unusually long for its era.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Beethoven's Ninth — The Deaf Composer's Greatest Triumph"