First Nights - Beethoven's 9th Symphony and the 19th Century Orchestra from edX

Ludwig van Beethoven’s 9th Symphony premiered in Vienna in 1824, and continues to be one of the most popular symphonies in the repertoire. The monumental symphony’s size and complexity stretches traditional instrumental forms to the breaking point, and its famous choral finale changed our view of orchestral music forever.

Harvard’s Thomas Forrest Kelly (Morton B. Knafel Professor of Music) guides learners through all four movements of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, highlighting aspects of symphonic form, describing Beethoven’s composition process, the rehearsals and premiere performance, and the work’s continued relevance today.

You will learn the basics of musical form and analysis, the genres and styles used and the circumstances of this symphony’s first performance and subsequent history. Learners in this course need not have any prior musical experience.

Additional First Nights Modules: Monteverdi's L'Orfeo and the Birth of Opera Handel’s Messiah and Baroque Oratorio Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony" Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique and Program Music in the 19th Century Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring: Modernism, Ballet, and Riots

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Identify and describe the forms of 18th- and 19th- century orchestral music
Understand the instruments and voices of the orchestra and choir

Appreciate cultural context and performance circumstances of beethoven’s 9th symphony

Identify and describe the forms of 18th- and 19th- century orchestral music
Understand the instruments and voices of the orchestra and choir
Appreciate cultural context and performance circumstances of beethoven’s 9th symphony

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches learners about Beethoven's 9th Symphony, expanding their knowledge of classical music through historical and analytical approaches

Guides learners through the symphony's four movements, highlighting symphonic form, composition process, and its continued relevance

Emphasizes aspects of symphonic form, describing Beethoven’s composition process and the symphony's enduring impact

Taught by Thomas Forrest Kelly, a highly renowned professor at Harvard, this course offers learners access to expertise in music

Provides a foundation in musical form and analysis, benefiting learners interested in deepening their understanding of music theory

Accessible to learners without prior musical experience, making it suitable for enthusiastic beginners

Reviews summary

Engaging beethoven course

Learners say this course is an engaging, exciting look at the history, cultural context, structure, performers and magnificent details of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

Course gives a good introduction to the basics of a symphony.

"In this course you can learn (or refresh your memory) about the basic of a symphony, and then you'll dive into the wonderful world of the 9th symphony."

Professor Kelly is passionate and knowledgeable, with great teaching skills.

"Professor Kelly's passion is outweighed only by his knowledge, and his methodological and pedagogical ability to transfer this knowledge is simply astounding."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in First Nights - Beethoven's 9th Symphony and the 19th Century Orchestra with these activities:

Read 'Beethoven: The Man and His Music' by Maynard Solomon

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Provide a solid base of understanding for the course's materials by learning more about Beethoven's life and work.

View Beethoven, Revised Edition on Amazon

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Get a copy of the book from your local library.
Read the book at a pace of about two chapters per week.
Take notes while reading, focusing on the sections that discuss Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

Watch a video series on the history of the symphony

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Gain a deeper knowledge of the history and development of the symphony, which will provide context for Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

Browse courses on Ludwig van Beethoven

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Search for a video series on the history of the symphony on YouTube or other video platform.
Watch the videos at a pace that fits your schedule.
Take notes on the key points discussed in the videos.

Read 'The Ninth: Beethoven and the World He Made' by Harvey Sachs

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Provide a solid base of understanding for the course's materials by learning more about Beethoven's life and work.

View Schoenberg: Why He Matters on Amazon

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Get a copy of the book from your local library.
Read the book at a pace of about two chapters per week.
Take notes while reading, focusing on the sections that discuss Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

Six other activities

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Create a study guide that summarizes the main points of the course lectures

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Reinforce your understanding of the course material by creating a study guide that highlights the key points.

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Review the course lectures, taking notes on the main points.
Organize the main points into a logical order.
Create a study guide that includes the main points, key terms, and examples.

Form a study group with other students in the course

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Enhance your learning by collaborating with others, discussing the course material, and quizzing each other.

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Reach out to other students in the course and ask if they want to form a study group.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material, ask questions, and quiz each other.

Write a blog post or article about the key themes of Beethoven's 9th Symphony

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Solidify your understanding of the symphony by analyzing and writing about its key themes.

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Listen to the symphony several times, paying attention to the different movements and themes.
Research the symphony, including its historical context and the composer's intentions.
Write a blog post or article that discusses the key themes of the symphony, such as the struggle for freedom, the power of music, and the brotherhood of humanity.

Volunteer at a local orchestra or concert hall

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Gain practical experience and immerse yourself in the world of classical music by volunteering.

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Contact a local orchestra or concert hall and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend volunteer training and orientation.
Volunteer at concerts and events, performing tasks such as ushering, ticket scanning, and assisting patrons.

Compose a musical piece inspired by Beethoven's 9th Symphony

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Challenge yourself to apply the principles you learn in the course by composing your own musical piece.

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Choose a specific movement or theme from Beethoven's 9th Symphony as inspiration.
Research different compositional techniques and styles.
Compose a piece of music that reflects your interpretation of the symphony.
Share your composition with others and get feedback.

Contribute to a software project related to music theory or composition

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Deepen your understanding of music theory and composition by contributing to a real-world project.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Research open source software projects related to music theory or composition.
Choose a project to contribute to and contact the project maintainers.
Follow the project's contribution guidelines and submit a pull request with your code changes.

Career center

Learners who complete First Nights - Beethoven's 9th Symphony and the 19th Century Orchestra will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Music Teacher

In this role, you will plan and provide musical instruction to students of all ages and skill levels. This course can help you develop a comprehensive understanding of music and its different elements, as well as provide insights into how to effectively teach music theory, history, and performance. The lessons on the basics of musical form and analysis, as well as the exploration of the 19th-century orchestra and symphonic forms, will be especially valuable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Music Critic

You will write and publish reviews, articles, and commentary on musical performances, recordings, and other related topics. This course will lay a strong foundation for your work by providing you with a deep understanding of different musical forms and genres, the history of music, and the role of music in society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Critic

Music Librarian

As a music librarian, you will be in charge of acquiring, cataloging, and preserving music materials. This course will teach you about the different types of music materials and how to organize them, as well as provide a solid understanding of music history and theory. The section on the 19th-century orchestra will also be helpful in understanding the different types of music that are typically found in a music library.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian

Music Archivist

Your job is to preserve and provide access to historical music recordings, documents, and artifacts. The focus on the 19th-century orchestra in this course can provide valuable knowledge of the music and musical practices of that era.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Archivist

Composer

This course covers the forms of 18th- and 19th-century orchestral music, and will help you understand the instruments and voices of the orchestra and choir. This knowledge will be invaluable as you compose your own music, as it will give you a strong foundation in the history and theory of music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Music Historian

Your job is to research and write about the history of music. This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the history of music, from the 18th century to the present day. The focus on Beethoven's 9th Symphony will give you insights into the development of the symphony as a musical form, and the role of music in the 19th century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Historian

Music Director

A music director is responsible for leading and conducting an orchestra or other musical ensemble. This course will give you a comprehensive understanding of the different forms of orchestral music, and the instruments and voices of the orchestra. The focus on Beethoven's 9th Symphony will give you insights into the development of the symphony as a musical form, and the role of music in the 19th century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director

Music Producer

A music producer works with artists and musicians to create, record, and produce music. This course will give you insights into the different forms of orchestral music, and the instruments and voices of the orchestra. The focus on Beethoven's 9th Symphony will give you insights into the development of the symphony as a musical form, and the role of music in the 19th century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Music Journalist

This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the history of music, from the 18th century to the present day. The focus on Beethoven's 9th Symphony will give you insights into the development of the symphony as a musical form, and the role of music in the 19th century. This knowledge will be invaluable to you as a music journalist, as it will give you a strong foundation for writing about music and its history.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

Music Educator

You will plan and provide musical instruction to students of all ages and skill levels. This course can help you develop a comprehensive understanding of music and its different elements, as well as provide insights into how to effectively teach music theory, history, and performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Educator

Orchestra Manager

You will oversee the day-to-day operations of an orchestra, including managing finances, planning concerts, and hiring musicians. This course will give you a comprehensive understanding of the different forms of orchestral music, and the instruments and voices of the orchestra. The focus on Beethoven's 9th Symphony will give you insights into the development of the symphony as a musical form, and the role of music in the 19th century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Orchestra Manager

Music Therapist

As a music therapist, you will use music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and cognitive health. This course can help you develop a comprehensive understanding of music and its different elements, as well as provide insights into how to use music to promote healing and well-being.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Arts Administrator

An Arts Administrator plans, organizes, and directs activities for visual and performing arts organizations. A solid understanding of music and musical history, which this course provides, can be valuable in this role. While this course focuses on symphony orchestras, the knowledge gained may be applied to other types of arts organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Administrator

Sound Engineer

A sound engineer sets up, operates, and maintains sound systems and equipment at concerts, events, and other live performances. This course can help you develop a conceptual understanding of musical composition, which will be an asset when managing live performances.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Engineer

Musician

This course will give you a comprehensive understanding of the different forms of orchestral music, and the instruments and voices of the orchestra. The focus on Beethoven's 9th Symphony will give you insights into the development of the symphony as a musical form, and the role of music in the 19th century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musician