Ludwig van Beethoven's final symphony (Symphony No. 9) premiered in Vienna on 7 May 1824.
Composed over a two-year period, Beethoven had initially rejected the idea of performing the orchestral work in Vienna ("The symphonies? They have no time for them," Beethoven told a friend in 1822), and only agreed after admirers signed a petition asking him to reconsider.
Performed by the large orchestra at the Kärntnertortheater (the theater was demolished in 1876 and is now the site of the Hotel Sacher), the 53-year-old Beethoven stood by conductor Michael Umlauf (who had conducted numerous works by Beethoven) and "threw himself back and forth like a madman," seemingly conducting musicians he could no longer hear (Umlauf had instructed the orchestra to ignore the composer). Beethoven could also not hear the applause, contralto Caroline Unger reportedly gently turned around Beethoven so he could see the standing ovation. The audience provided him with 5 standing ovations, raising their hands and throwing hats so Beethoven could see their appreciation.
Beethoven did not make much money from the performance, due to the cost of the large orchestra, and a second performance was given on 24 May (where Beethoven secured a guaranteed fee) but was sparsely attended. It was Beethoven's final public performance.
Considered to be one of the most recognizable and most influential pieces of music ever written, Beethoven's 9th is one of the most frequently performed symphonies in the world and is considered to be one of the greatest achievements in the history of music.
