The Story of Beethoven's 9th

"Beethoven directed the piece himself; that is, he stood before the lectern and gesticulated furiously. At times he rose, at other times he shrank to the ground, he moved as if he wanted to play all the instruments himself and sing for the whole chorus. All the musicians minded his rhythm alone while playing."

- Violinist Josef Böhm, on the premiere performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony

If you want to learn something interesting, read Beethoven's wikipedia page.  Better yet, read this biography -- of which is dedicated solely to the composition and premiere of Beethoven's 9th, marking Beethoven's last days.

As someone with a generally confused attitude towards classical music, I jumped at the opportunity to attend the Utah's Symphony's concert featuring Beethoven's 9th earlier this fall.  Eager to wet my toes with another experience in classical music, I went and I listened and my interest was piqued, indefinitely.  

Beethoven is best known for the supreme irony that was the last several years of his life: he was a composer of music and yet, completely deaf.  Growing up with weekly piano lessons, I became well versed in the story of Beethoven's 9th Symphony.   After the orchestra had finished the music, Beethoven had to be turned around to see the crowd standing and applauding his work.  He heard nothing. 

He was a revolutionary with lively hair that wrote beautiful music, someone definitely worth remembering.

-Maddy

BYU Bookstore

Find The Ninth at the BYU Bookstore. 

Reading Round-Up, part II

Remember Reading Round-Up, Part I?  This is just some of our favorite reading bits and pieces from the last few weeks, enjoy!

What do you use as a bookmark?  An old receipt (or something else you found in your purse)?  These are genius.  The perfect bookmarks that make reading look good. 

One of our favorite local authors, Ann Cannon, also writes a weekly column for the Salt Lake Tribune.  It's funny and poignant and absolutely worth reading.  Weekly.  

How do you organize your bookshelves? Are you about practical, or pretty?  This would be a nightmare to navigate, but it's an aesthetical treat. 

Perhaps the best bookstore movie ever made?  ...Or maybe just the only bookstore movie ever made?  Either way, the battle between the independent booksellers and the chain stores lives on. 

And finally, when you've finished one  book and are in search of another, how do you choose which books to read?  Reccommendations from friends?  Book cover perusing at your favorite bookstore?  Reviews?

This is a serious matter.  Tell us any and all ways you choose which book you're reading next.

In the meantime, happy reading!