In contrast to the lofty ideals its words convey, the friction and intrigue of the chaotic premiere reflected Beethoven's more venal side (which, indeed, is perhaps why his work is so accessibly human). As late as a few months before the premiere of the Ninth, Beethoven himself had doubts about a choral finale and prepared an entirely different purely instrumental alternative (later used in his Op. After years of sketches, in 1817 he began the first two movements of a new symphony, and devoted an entire year to completing it only after creating his massive 'Diabelli' Variations and Missa Solemnis in 1823, supreme masterpieces that culminated his piano and vocal writing. Yet Beethoven clung to its idealism and may have tried to set it to music in the 1790s and again in 1812. Disillusioned over the abuses of power of the French Revolution, Schiller himself soon came to disavow his Ode. Written in 1785, Schiller's Ode reflected the doctrine of Enlightenment, the late 18th century philosophy that reason would lead to perfect harmony and pure social justice for all mankind. The descriptive title stems from the finale, in which soloists and chorus sing portions of Frederich Schiller's poem 'An die Freude' (Ode to Joy'). Yet, one claim seems secure вЂ“ it's tough to think of a more influential work than Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (known as the 'Choral'). Beyond purely subjective claims (my favorite this, the prettiest that), even those with a pretense of objectivity are purely speculative. Most attempts at superlatives for an art form as rich and varied as serious music may be interesting and valid springboards for discussion but ultimately hard to defend.

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