Beethoven's epic Ninth Symphony premiered on this day in 1824. Right from the beginning, the work was an incredible triumph for the ailing composer—suffering by that time from total deafness, but present in the hall to enjoy his creation’s success. Relive a spirit-lifting rendition of the work by one of the world's greatest orchestras (the Vienna Philharmonic / Wiener Philharmoniker), led by one of the world's greatest conductors (Riccardo Muti) at one of the world's most storied venues (the Mus

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 is known around the world, and although the music conveys power and beauty to listeners, the piece poses many challenges for its performers. In this Orchestral Excerpt Insight, CSO Principal Cello John Sharp explores three passages from the second movement, which is often requested on professional auditions and demonstrates command of rhythm, intonation, tone, and character. As he provides strategies for preparing the music, John reminds us of a goal that transcends th