
Born in Britain: Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
Fri 21 Mar 2025, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
The Pigott Theatre, British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB
Fri 21 Mar 2025, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
The Pigott Theatre, British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB
Join the RPS on a historic anniversary of one of the world’s favourite pieces of music.
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is one of the world’s favourite pieces of music.
But did you know it came to life thanks to a group of music-lovers here in the UK?
200 years ago on 21 March 1825, the original members of the Royal Philharmonic Society presented the symphony’s UK premiere. The Society did much to introduce UK audiences to Beethoven’s music. They raised funds which they sent him to support his work and his welfare, including £50 for a new orchestral piece. They could not have imagined the extraordinary score that was delivered to them in return – nor the impact it would go on to have worldwide. That score sits today in the British Library, and Beethoven’s thanks to his UK supporters is recorded in his own hand on its cover.
For this anniversary event, special guests include one of the nation's best-loved broadcasters and comedians, bass-baritone and Classic FM presenter Alexander Armstrong; composer and Master of the King's Music Errollyn Wallen CBE; writer, speaker and regular BBC Radio 3 contributor Katy Hamilton; and historian of British musical culture Leanne Langley, Honorary Librarian of the Royal Philharmonic Society. Together they will discuss the symphony’s remarkable origins here in London, the story of its extraordinary UK premiere, its impact on musicians ever since, and the international spell it has cast for two centuries.
Part of our Beethoven 200 celebrations, which also include a performance by Antonio Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on Sunday 23 March. Click here for more information.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we have launched our new Beethoven 200 Appeal to help a new generation of composers to make their mark on the world. If you have the means to make even a gesture to it, or can share news of the appeal with others who might, we are sincerely grateful.