The Ninth: Beethoven and the World in 1824by Harvey Sachs
Endure Courageously, Millions!
Endure for the Better World!
These lines are part of Schiller's Ode to Joy. They were used by Beethoven in his ground breaking Ninth Symphony. It was the first symphony to have a vocal score. When Beethoven wrote this symphony, Europe was in a reactionary period. After the freedom of the Napoleonic era, the monarchies of Europe were limiting the rights of their citizens. In 1824, Lord Byron was killed trying to help Greece rebel against the Ottoman Empire. Pushkin was writing Boris Gudunov, an anti-authoritarian play. Beethoven's Ninth is a cornerstone of Romantic music. Inspired by the artists of the day, the peoples of Europe kept hoping and struggling for freedom. Is history repeating itself? For today we see citizens fighting for their freedom all over the world!
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