Ludwig van Beethoven regularly took the waters in Baden. The summer resort town of Emperor Franz and his family was frequented by the high nobility and bourgeoisie, including the great composer's patrons, and Beethoven stayed at Rathausgasse 10 in the summers of 1821, 1822 and 1823. During this time, he wrote significant parts of the 9th Symphony. In 2024, the Beethovenhaus Baden will celebrate 200 years of Beethoven's 9th Symphony with a special exhibition.
Based on two letters that Beethoven wrote in Baden in September 1823, the special exhibition shows the significance of the Ninth from its premiere to the present day. The letters, which the Beethovenhaus-Bonn has made available to the city of Baden for the exhibition, document the international significance and networking of the Beethovenhaus Baden.
Beethovenhaus Baden © C. Schörg
The exhibition ranges from the program of the world premiere at the Kärntnerthortheater and the first printed score to Leonard Bernstein's legendary concert in 1989. Books and graphics show the representation and reception not only in music, but also in literature, science and the visual arts.
Depictions of allegorical figures that take the text of the 4th movement of the Ode to Joy as their starting point are on display, as are caricatures that can be interpreted both musically and politically. The visual language of the numerous record covers illustrating the realization of the Ninth with all the important conductors and orchestras is remarkable. Several objects are dedicated to the history of the performance, including the first performance in Baden in 1910 and the performance by German prisoners in the Bando prison camp in Jahpan in 1918.
The Ninth took on a special significance as the European anthem. As an exhibited letter documents, Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi, founder of the Pan-European Union, proposed the Ode to Joy as a European anthem as early as 1955. In 1985, it was adopted by the EU heads of state and government as the official anthem of the European Union: "Without words, only in the universal language of music, it expresses the European values of freedom, peace and solidarity."
Events such as the "Ode to Freedom" concert in Berlin on 25 December 1989 symbolize the importance of Beethoven's music. Leonhard Bernstein conducted musicians from both parts of the now reunited Germany, from America, the former Soviet Union, France and Great Britain.
To this day, the 9th Symphony, part of which originated in Baden, moves people all over the world.
April 27 to November 3, 2024
The room of the Ninth in the Beethovenhaus Baden © C. Schörg
Events 2024:
Listen to Beethoven! - the children's program at the Beethovenhaus Baden
Was Beethoven really almost deaf? Can you also see or taste sounds? What does composing actually mean? Did Beethoven already have a flashlight? What does a fortepiano sound like? All these questions about Beethoven, his music, his stays in Baden and life in the Biedermeier period are covered in this interactive search for clues. The children experience what it means to hear nothing and get a first insight into the life of the great composer Ludwig van Beethoven! Every first Saturday of the month!
From April 6, May 4, June 1, July 6.... 2024
Themed tour - 200 years of the Ninth
Beethoven's Ninth celebrates its 200th anniversary. Significant parts of this famous symphony were composed in Baden. How was this work received by the public at its premiere? Why was this work so revolutionary? Why is it still one of the most frequently performed works of classical music today? These questions will be explored during the themed tour.
May 4, 2024
Open day - admission free! On the 200th anniversary of the premiere of the Ninth!
The world premiere of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony took place as the Great Musical Academy on May 7, 1824 at the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna. The melody and text of the final chorus, the "Ode to Joy", are world-famous. The instrumental version is also the anthem of the European Union.
Beethoven wrote significant parts of this symphony in the summers of 1821, 1822 and 1823 in Baden. During these summers, he lived in Rathausgasse in what is now the Beethovenhaus Baden. The Biedermeier-style living quarters provide an insight into the composer's life and surroundings in the town of Baden, where he was a long-time spa guest.
May 7, 2024
Beethoven for twenty fingers - piano concert with Nadia Saharova and Stefan Kallin
Nadia Saharova wowed audiences at the Beethovenhaus Baden just last year. On this May concert evening, the fortepiano is the star alongside Beethoven.
"Beethoven for 20 fingers", Nadia Saharaova (piano) and Stefan Kallin (piano).
May 23, 2024
Marialena Fernandes © Marialena Fernandes
"All people will..."
Interactive musical event on the Ninth with Marialena Fernandes on the fortepiano
Marialena Fernandes is a pianist and teacher at the MdW (University of Art and Performing Arts Vienna). From the diverse influences of her native India, she loves everything that is out of the ordinary and crosses borders. With her temperament and musical passion, she succeeds in inspiring different age groups for Beethoven and his music, whereby the interaction of the participants is very important to her.
The fortepiano, on which Beethoven played, plays an important role in the Beethovenhaus Baden. Fernandes will make it sing and speak and everyone will leave the Beethovenhaus with the exciting sounds of the Ninth Symphony in their hearts.
June 16 and September 15, 2024
Beethoven's view of the stars. His last three orchestral works
LECTURE by University Professor Dr. Birgit Lodes
June 20, 2024
Delicious works, the most excellent of his compositions - Beethoven and the marketing of the works of his Academy on May 7, 1824
LECTURE by Julia Ronge
July 25, 2024
Camilla Köhnken © Camilla Köhnken
Ninth Symphony - piano version by Franz Liszt
CONCERT with Camilla Köhnken, fortepiano
Camilla Köhnken, internationally active pianist and teacher, regularly gives concerts in Bonn, at the Beethoven-Haus Bonn. The Beethovenhaus Baden is delighted to welcome her to the Beethovenhaus Baden with the 9th Symphony.
October 3, 2024
