Seven Last Words of the Ninth

Could the very last notes of the IVth movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony be a reference to Yankee Doodle? This may seem to be pure chance, but a case can be made that it was intentional on Ludwig's part. The entire orchestra seems to be chanting "Yankee Doodle! Yankee Doodle!" in a wild frenzy. Then come the last seven notes (not really words, but suggestive of words) to the entire symphony. Although different recordings play this ending in different ways, in many versions the rhythm, melody, and phrasing are suggestive of the first line of the theme song of the American Revolution: "Yankee Doodle went to town"!!! Could this be right?!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Beethoven
• Yankee
• Doodle
• Rhineceres
• Ninth
• Symphony