Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is one of the greatest achievements in music history. The Ninth was premiered in Vienna at the Theater am Kärntnertor on May 7, 1824, by the largest orchestra Beethoven ever assembled. But someone else had to conduct because Beethoven was totally deaf by then. Beethoven was on stage, though, shadow conducting the piece in his head. He was still jamming after the music finished and the audience was on its feet. “Ode to Joy” singer Caroline Unger got Beethoven’s attention and brought him back to Earth.
