Pope calls Beethoven's 'Ninth' masterful expression of optimism

Published: 2007-10-29

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After listening to a performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony," Pope Benedict XVI called the work a masterful expression of optimism in the face of suffering. The pope listened to the performance by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at the Vatican Oct. 28. Afterward, he gave a talk that reflected his interest in music and his familiarity with Beethoven's work. Beethoven's "Ninth" is one of the best-known compositions of Western music and was written when the composer was almost completely deaf. Its finale, "Ode to Joy," uses soloists, chorus and orchestra. The pope said he was increasingly amazed at the work, which was Beethoven's last complete symphony, written after years of self-isolation. "Beethoven had to fight internal and external problems that brought him depression and deep bitterness and threatened to suffocate his artistic creativity," the pope said. Then, in 1824, Beethoven surprised the public with "a composition that broke the traditional form of the symphony" and elevated it to an expression of joy and optimism, he said.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .