Sinfonie mit Schluss-Chor uber Schillers Ode: “An die Freude” fur grosses Orchester, 4 Solo- und 4 Chor-Stimmen componirt und Seiner Majestaet dem Konig von Preussen Friedrich Wilhelm III in tiefster Ehrfurcht kugeeignet von Ludwig van Beethoven. [The Ninth Symphony].

BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van.

$55,000.00

Item Number: 146837

Mainz and Paris: B. Schotts Sohnen, 1826.

Exceptionally rare first edition, first issue of one of the most frequently performed symphonies in the world, containing the subscribers’ list, but not the composer’s notorious metronome markings which were added in later issues. Quarto, bound in nineteenth-century marbled boards with a blank label to the front panel, all edges yellow, printed with plate number 2322, subscribers’ list present, illustrated with a lithographic title page and engraved with music throughout. Inscribed by William Waterhouse on the front free endpaper, “from Robert Hermann London…” William Waterhouse was an English bassoonist and musicologist who played with notable orchestras in the twentieth century and recorded all the wind chamber music by Beethoven with the Melos Ensemble. In near fine condition with some rubbing to the extremities and traces of the original pale blue wrappers to outer pages, no plate number to page 191, and blank final leaf missing. An excellent example with remarkably deep, clean impressions.

One of the great monuments of western civilization, The Ninth Symphony was composed between 1822 and 1824 and performed in Vienna on 7 May 1824 at the Karntnertortheater. It was the first major symphony to include a choral finale and set the model for future large-scale choral symphonies. Published two years after its initial performance, this score remains a constant fixture in the music world.