On March 21st 1825 Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society, was performed at its official premiere in London. However, the critics were not very enthusiastic: “We must express our hope that this new work of the great Beethoven may be put into a produceable form, that the repetitions may be omitted, and the chorus removed altogether. The Symphony will then be heard with unmixed pleasure, and the reputation of the author will, if possible, be further augmented.” Reminds one of the reception of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring in 1911 in Paris, which caused a riot! Discover Beethoven’s iconic work at the depth that is right for you with Deutsche Grammophon iPad & iPhone app: