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Ludwig van Beethoven's 'Symphony No. 9 in D Minor' - Live Concert Stream

Watch the magic of the Synchron Stage Orchestra unfold in the comfort of your home - available now in cinematic quality 

Originally aired as part of Beethoven’s 250th anniversary celebration, Johannes Vogel conducts the Synchron Stage Orchestra to perform Gustav Mahler's Orchestration of Symphony No. 9 in D Minor Op. 125 in this dramatic live concert stream. 

Recorded at the historical Synchron Stage in Vienna, experience the thrills and swells of the Synchron Stage Orchestra - 48 string, 17 woodwind, 14 brass, 4 percussion - comprised of Austria’s finest instrumentalists, alongside a choir of 39 sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. 

Composed between 1822 and 1824 in Vienna, Symphony No. 9 in D Minor was Beethoven’s final completed symphony. The use of solo singers and a chorus in the final movement was revolutionary, and the emotional journey from the doubt and struggle to the glorious vision of a world of love and tolerance is regarded as one of the greatest and most heartfelt pieces in classical music.  

Fast forward to 1900, and Austrian composer Gustav Mahler boldly altered the symphony’s instrumentation by adding four horns and a tuba, which this performance is based on.  

Sound good? Settle onto the sofa and watch Symphony No. 9 in D Minor in 4K UHD with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, available to stream with unlimited replays through the On Air website, mobile, and TV apps

The perfect evening for fans of high-quality classical music - start streaming now!

Beethoven 2024 Artwork - Square

Quote from the conductor

Johannes Vogel

“These symphonies are linked as the last and most famous symphonies written by their composers. I have chosen these symphonies as they each show us the remarkable capabilities of the human mind; what we can achieve through our creativity and positivity to make the world a better place to live in. There are always ways to shape how we live despite our circumstances, and music has the power to provide the light, clarity, and insight that is needed to help us move forward.” 

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About the conductor

Johannes Vogel

Born in 1967 in Vienna, Johannes Vogel is a skilled percussionist, composer, and conductor who has worked with world-leading orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic, Bavarian State Opera, and Zurich Opera. He has also composed and produced pieces for film and TV, including MGM/Paramount’s Hercules and Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak.  

Vogel has earned worldwide acclamation for his modern, revolutionary approach towards masterpieces from classical legends Beethoven, Dvořák, Mozart, and more. 

conductor Johannes Vogel wearing a black shirt with his arms crossed

About the composer

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer best known for his emotional, dramatic, and moody compositions, which he wrote in Vienna, Austria. After learning music from his father, Johann van Beethoven, and later from German opera composer Christian Gottlob Neefe, Beethoven moved to Vienna and studied composition with musician Joseph Haydn, before establishing his reputation as a skilled virtuoso pianist.  

Beethoven’s first successful orchestral piece, 'First Symphony,' premiered in 1800, followed by a set of beautiful string quartets published in 1801. He continued to compose a series of symphonies, concertos, sonatas, piano concertos, and opera – and most of his admired works came after he lost his sense of hearing in 1814. This includes the grandeur of Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (one of the first examples of a choral symphony) between 1822 and 1824.  

To this day, Beethoven remains one of the most listened to composers in popular and classical music.  

About Gustav Mahler’s Orchestration 

Overseeing the Vienna Philharmonic, Austrian composer Gustav Mahler flipped Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor on its head, altering the instrumentation with four horns and a tuba (which was created in 1835). The revolutionary yet controversial change was debuted on 18 February 1900, dividing critics everywhere.  

A drawn image of Ludgwig Van Beethoven holding a pen and sheet music

About the orchestra

Synchron Stage Orchestra

The Synchron Stage Orchestra is comprised of talented instrumentalists and singers from world-leading Viennese orchestras. The ensemble often performs classical symphonies at the historical Synchron Stage in Vienna and have also featured in the soundtracks for Blue Planet II (2018) and Dune (2020), to name a few. 

image of the Synchron Stage Orchestra performing in a wooden panelled room

We plant trees

One Tree Planted

On Air has partnered with One Tree Planted. One Tree Planted are a non-profit charity on a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Their projects span the globe and are done in partnership with local communities and knowledgeable experts to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife. 

On Air will plant one tree for every ticket purchased from their website for our performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor.

The One Tree Planted logo overlayed onto a green forest

Who were Ludwig van Beethoven’s main influences?

Austrian composer Joeseph Haydn was a fundamental influence and figure in Beethoven’s early career. The musician played over 50 Haydn Symphonies with the Esterhazy Court Orchestra as a violist, before leaving Bonn to study with Haydn himself. After moving to Vienna, Beethoven also found inspiration in Mozart’s music, with similar Romatic themes weaved into his piano concertos.  

Where have you heard Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor before?

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor has made an appearance in film and TV’s biggest blockbusters, including: A Clockwork Orange (1971), Die Hard (1988), Dead Poets Society (1989), Mr. Jones (1993), Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), Cruel Intentions (1999), and more.  

How many instruments are used in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Mahler’s Orchestration)?

The symphony is scored for 24 First and Second Violins, 10 Violas, 8 Violoncellos, 6 Double Bass, 4 Flutes, 4 Oboes, 4 Clarinets, 4 Bassoons, 1 Contrabassoon, 6 Horns, 2 Trombones, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Tuba, 4 Trumpets, and 4 Percussionists - all performed in four movements for approximately 70 minutes. Impressive, right? 

What projects have the Synchron Stage Orchestra been involved in?

The Synchron Stage Orchestra have a wealth of high-scoring projects under their belt, including: The Crown (2016/17), Blue Planet II (2018), Studio 54 (2018), 6 Underground (2019), Ad Astra (2019), Dune (2020), Promising Young Women (2020), WandaVision (2021), The Unforgiveable (2021), Call the Midwife (2022), Hawkeye (2023), Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning 1 (2023), and more. 

Your front row seat awaits... 

Can’t get enough of the Synchron Stage Orchestra? Delve into three more star-performances, including Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C Major, Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor. 

Also featured in our repertoire are three Igor Stravinsky compositions performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Petrushka, The Firebird and The Rite of Spring.  

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