Maestro Järvi described Beethoven as a
god-like figure that most composers didn’t dare to tread near. “In awe” of what
he achieved with his Ninth Symphony, most composers who came after Beethoven
felt “insecure” about the symphony genre. Paavo then went on to mention how
Schubert wrote his “Great” Symphony (mentioned in yesterday's post) attempting
to make it in the likeness of Beethoven’s first. He knew he could never
accomplish what Beethoven was able to provide listeners with his Symphony No. 9
but thought that if he could compose something “worthy” of Beethoven’s first
(one of his lesser-known works) he would be satisfied.
What do you think? In your opinion,
has anyone ever accomplished what Beethoven did with his Symphony No. 9?
