Approaching Beethoven's Score

It’s always hard to tackle the Ninth Symphony. It’s like the Fifth. Each time I sit down in front of an orchestra, it is more complex. And even before I get to the orchestra, the study of the piece gets more complex. Each time more questions appear. This also happens with the Ninth. Because... Because of its simple complexity. If we look at the structure of the Ninth, it’s a classical structure. Look at the first movement: it’s a movement in sonata form with clear themes, and harmony and structure supporting these themes. Simple. But at the same time, what is one meant to do with these notes? How do you take it from the calm – this tense calm of the first bars, to an indescribable storm a mere 20 seconds later? So, this implies a challenge, an interpretive challenge. Because to reach this beginning you first have to look ahead. It’s like looking at a mountain. So, you aren’t going to start climbing the mountain because you think it’s nearby. No. First you need to think practically how many meters it is for you to reach the mountaintop, check how long this whole process is going to take you and think about constructing the path. Construct and reconstruct this path ahead of time. So, you have lots of things in Beethoven that don’t start from a beginning. Rather, you have to have sufficient knowledge to know that this is born from something much further ahead.