Beethoven Beethoven's Ninth Symphony

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previous movement Fourth Movement Sample

IV. Fourth Movement

Presto (Very fast with 25 tempo changes)

  1. Opening Ritornello
    1. Horror/Recitative
    2. Recollection: Mvt. 1 2 3
    3. Joy theme: Stmnt. 1 2 3 4
  2. Exposition
    1. Horror/Recitative
    2. Primary area (Joy) 1 2 3
    3. Secondary area (Turkish)
  3. Development
    1. Joy theme (orchestra)
    2. Retransition
  4. Recapitulation
    1. Joy theme
    2. Awe theme
  5. Coda
    1. Episode 1: Joy & Awe
    2. Episode 2: Joy
    3. Episode 3: Awe, Joy

Overview

In the fourth movement Beethoven breaks almost every link to tradition as he combines sonata forms, operatic recitatives, choral singing, military marches, and more traditional symphonic developments to create one of the most unique structures in Western music. Beethoven's achievement would inspire composers like Richard Wagner in a reassessment of the forms of romantic opera.