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Beethoven: Symphony no. 9

Lecture
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Benjamin Zander

Track List

Click on the tracks below to jump to that movement.

Introduction - Tempo: a personal preference (4:54)
Beethoven and Tempo: the miracle of the metronome (6:31)
The Case of the Ninth: history of past performances (12:15)
The Purpose of This Recording: a glimpse through different glasses (2:54)
Least Controversial Points: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th movements (24:21)
More Controversial Points: 1st movement (13:38)
The Adagio: what, exactly, constitutes a "slow" tempo? (29:25)
Most Controversial Points: the fourth movement (8:04)
Extremely Controversial Points & Explanations (1): March and Double Fugue (22:29)
Extremely Controversial Points & Explanations (2): Scherzo, Trio, and Prestissimo (27:14)
Closing Thoughts: the ongoing exploration of a masterpiece (24:21)

“I believe in his meticulously recorded indications, lie the truth, the beauty and the power of Beethoven’s message.”

— Benjamin Zander

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Beethoven: Symphony no. 9
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Beethoven & Zander
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Listening Guides

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Essentials

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Beethoven: Symphony no. 9
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Beethoven: Tempo Markings - A Note from the Conductor
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Lecture
Lecture

Beethoven: Symphony no. 9

"In his meticulously recorded indications, lies the truth, the beauty and the power of Beethoven's message"

— Benjamin Zander

Listen to Audio View Collection

Concert Talks

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Sibelius: Symphony no. 5
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Strauss: Ein Heldenleben
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Interviews

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unPlanned: A Very Good Vicar. Benjamin Zander on music and life.
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