...a symphony which could present its creator's image of the world," a concept which "lay at the heart of the Romantic revolution" and through which Beethoven "first brought Romanticism into Western music ("Ludwig Van Beethoven," Internet).
Of course, it is Beethoven's momentous and magnificent Symphony no. 9, the Choral, which continues to thrill music lovers all over the world. This incredible piece of music stirs up a galaxy of human emotions, ranging from sadness to joy and exhilaration to melancholia. The first eight notes are the most powerful and memorable and possibly symbolize the greatest opening lines in the history of Western music. One story about Beethoven and this particular symphony is quite moving. On May 7th, 1824 in Vienna, even though he was stone deaf, Beethoven managed to successfully conduct the orchestra at the premier of this symphony and when it was over, it is said that a member of the chorus "turned him around so that he could see the thunderous cheers that were resounding through the hall" ("Ludwig Van Beethoven," Internet).
Whether this story is true has not been fully determined, but it is clear that the audience at the premier of the Ninth Symphony heard things that night which had never been heard before in Western music. A number of years ago, one of Beethoven's biographers wrote...
The woodwind and brass sections, with instruments parts being produced in factories, were significantly expanded. (Miller) Tchaikovsky's music is exemplary of the Romantic period styles in many ways. "Tchaikovsky's music was marked by its sensuously rhythmic pulse, which enabled him to create the world's greatest ballet music. The music shows a mixture of playful classicism and romantic verve. That he should incorporate such melodies into his symphonies prompted critics
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