Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 has once again topped the ABC Classic 100, being chosen as Australia's greatest piece of classical music of all time. This iconic symphony, with its familiar tune and brilliant interplay between instruments, has long appealed to a wide range of music lovers. ABC Classic Music Class co-host Ed Le Brocq likens a symphony to "a novel in musical terms", where a composer develops an idea, and the audience feels as if they're on a journey. Beethoven's Ninth has become a touchstone for composers writing symphonies, which typically have four movements and are written for a large orchestra. However, in its time, the music was a genre-defying work that inspired generations of composers who followed in Beethoven's footsteps. The mystique of the ninth Symphony is heightened by the sheer difficulty of writing symphonies. Only a small number of composers were able to write more than nine, and this scarcity has fueled a long-standing rumour in classical music circles: the so-called "curse of the ninth". Despite this superstition, the symphony has become one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music, especially its Ode to Joy finale. The legacy of Beethoven's Ninth extends beyond its popularity. It inspired later composers to follow in his footsteps, but the story was very different for women. While male composers often found success in the symphonic world, women faced significant obstacles. Historically, women weren't welcome to compose symphonies, and their works were often lost to history. However, some women persisted, drawing inspiration from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. Composers like Emilie Mayer, Louise Farrenc, and Alice Mary Smith wrote symphonies that drew on Beethoven's music while developing their own distinctive voices. Mayer, in particular, defied the odds in the 19th century by remaining single and managing to keep composing with the support of her well-to-do brother. Women continued to push through musical boundaries in the 20th century, with composers like Florence Price, Galina Ustvolskaya, and Minna Keal. Despite the enduring popularity of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, there's a case for supporting today's composers in writing new symphonies. Returning to Le Brocq's metaphor, writing a symphony is like writing a huge, complex novel, requiring time, financial investment, and orchestras willing to back them up. Hughes adds that orchestras should be bolder in programming music by living composers and in commissioning new works. In conclusion, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 remains a beloved piece of classical music, but it's essential to explore the breadth of symphonic music beyond Beethoven. By tuning in to ABC Classic, one can learn about the stories of the people who wrote these symphonies and appreciate the diverse range of compositions that have shaped classical music.
