Humor and Superstition at the 2023 Beethoven Festival

The grandeur of Beethoven's music and the legacy he left behind continue to influence and intertwine with the lives of contemporary musicians. Among these, pianist Fabian Müller, a native of Bonn just like Beethoven, has made a significant impact on the classical music world with a career that comprises multiple roles including that of a performer, teacher, and conductor. Müller, who was born more than two centuries after Beethoven, embodies the spirit of the legendary composer with his multifaceted approach to his career.

Beethoven's Humorous Side

Beethoven, renowned for his monumental contributions to classical music, also had a lighter side, as evidenced by anecdotes the humorous staging of his Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor. During the concerto's premiere, Beethoven played a practical joke on his page-turner, who found mostly empty pages with a few unintelligible scribbles instead of a full musical score. This playful side of Beethoven shows that contrary to his often serious image, he also enjoyed moments of joy and humor.

The Fear of the Ninth Symphony

The world of classical music hosts a peculiar superstition known as the 'curse of the ninth', where composers fear their ninth symphony might be their last. This stems from the notable pattern of eminent composers like Beethoven, Schubert, and Dvorak facing death or significant challenges after or while working on their ninth symphonies. Anton Bruckner, another victim of this 'curse', never completed his ninth symphony, passing away with only three movements finished, leaving an incomplete yet powerful testament to his work.

The 2023 Beethoven Festival not only celebrated Beethoven's contributions but also featured Bruckner's Symphony No. 9, a work that despite its incompleteness, resonates deeply with its audience. Concluding on this note, the event underscores the lasting impact and emotional depth that classical compositions continue to convey through generations of artists and audiences alike.

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