The Beethoven 9

4.6 (56)
MUSIC

The Beethoven 9 offers an in-depth exploration of Ludwig van Beethoven's nine symphonies, featuring host Monika Vischer and Beethoven biographer Jan Swafford.

12/03/2015

Symphony No. 9: A Joyous Epic

Its power and sheer ambition influenced and intimidated scores of composers who followed Beethoven.

15 min
11/25/2015

Symphony No. 8: A Musical Look Back

A fun, almost comical, moment before Beethoven stepped away from the symphony for a decade and wrote his ultimate triumph.

16 min
11/20/2015

Symphony No. 7: Rhythm And Restlessness

Ludwig van Beethoven's Seventh Symphony pulses with rhythmic invention. The reliance on the beat gives the piece an immediacy that rivals the music in any of Beethoven's symphonies.

14 min
11/13/2015

Symphony No. 6: A Walk In The Country

Ludwig van Beethoven followed his percussive, brooding Fifth Symphony with an ode to nature. Yet Symphony No. 6 is more than just a summer stroll.

17 min
11/07/2015

Symphony No. 5: Four Indelible Notes

It's one of the most famous musical passages ever written. Ludwig van Beethoven starts his Fifth Symphony with four percussive notes, then spends the next four movements inventing new ways to make them sing.

17 min
10/31/2015

Symphony No. 4: Unfairly Overlooked

Symphony No. 4 is more direct than the groundbreaking "Eroica" but still has many moments of brilliance. It's a crowd-pleaser.

16 min
10/31/2015

Symphony No. 3: Dedicated To ‘The Memory Of A Great Man’

With the "Eroica," Ludwig van Beethoven expanded the idea of what a symphony could be. The man who helped inspire the symphony? Napoleon Bonaparte.

18 min
10/30/2015

Symphony No. 2: Desperation and Determination

Ludwig van Beethoven's Second Symphony came at a pivot point in his life. Musically, the composer moved toward the more epic, revolutionary style that would define his later symphonies. Personally, Beethoven sank into despair as his hearing loss worsened.

15 min
10/28/2015

Symphony No. 1: A Great (But Not Groundbreaking) Start

Ludwig van Beethoven wrote symphonies that introduced new musical ideas, inspired generations of composers and expanded the idea of what a symphony could be. But he started modestly. His First Symphony, written in 1800, pays tribute to his predecessors.

14 min

9 Episodes

4.6

out of 5

56 Ratings

Enjoyable and Informative

12/12/2016

iolantherosa

This was a wonderful podcast series which I binged over two days. The host, Monika Vischer, was charming and kept things moving and on point (although how she managed to get through the entire thing without ever actually pronouncing the "t" in "Beethoven" was something of an annoying marvel). The expert guest, Jan Swafford, had an encyclopedic knowledge of both the man and the music; he kept things interesting and was able to present complicated musical concepts in plain English. For instance, he led us through some "comic" elements of the 8th Symphony, which involved explaining technical stuff like key changes in a way that many would find hard to explain, and in the end... I laughed! Highly recommended for neopyhytes and Beethhoven afficianados alike.
Sensational

12/29/2015

ZioKen

CPR Classical is a true gem for the rich content and snippets of stories behind the masterful music and the composers who live on for all of us. This Beethoven 9 at 9 is a shining example and nothing short of amazing. I am so glad they made a podcast as I didn't catch every episode live and is worth listening to again and again.

The Beethoven 9 offers an in-depth exploration of Ludwig van Beethoven's nine symphonies, featuring host Monika Vischer and Beethoven biographer Jan Swafford.