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IPR listeners' favorite Beethoven work? Symphony No. 9

Chicago Symphony Beethoven Symphony No. 9
The Chicago Symphony performs Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.

One of Beethoven's most triumphant symphonies triumphed today - Beethoven's birthday - as IPR wrapped up its poll of listeners' favorite works.

Beethoven was baptized on Dec. 17, 1770 in Bonn, Germany and likely born the day prior.

He wasn't the only musician in his family; his grandfather, also named Ludwig, was a Kapellmeister in Bonn and his father was a vocalist and music teacher.

In his earliest years, he studied violin, piano and music theory informally with his father and other area musicians.

Later, he began lessons with composer and conductor Christian Gottlob Neefe.

"Louis van Beethoven, son of the tenor singer already mentioned, a boy of 11 years and of most promising talent. He plays the piano very skilfully and with power ... He would surely become a second Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart if he were to continue as he has begun," Neefe wrote in 1783.

After decades of exhaustive composing, Beethoven's final years were famously filled with inner turmoil.

They were still marked by several important works, though, including several string quartets and our listeners' pick: his ninth symphony.

IPR listeners' top contenders also included his third symphony, seventh symphony and "Moonlight" Sonata, Piano Sonata No. 14.

Tune in to Classical IPR to hear more Beethoven favorites on his 252nd birthday.

Kacie Brown was IPR's Digital Content Manager until 2023.