By the time Ludwig van Beethoven began composing his ninth symphony in 1823, his hearing had almost completely deteriorated. Despite his battles with hearing loss, Beethoven was able to compose a symphony that instantly became a masterwork, of which there are few that are as acclaimed or beloved. The grandiose finale introduces the immortal “Ode to Joy” theme, signifying the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and serving as a testament to artistic resilience. The UMD Symphony Orchestra is joined by the UMD Concert Choir for a performance of this legendary symphony, providing a bombastic and joyful conclusion to the School of Music’s season!