# Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

The instrumental recitative for cellos and basses before the vocal entry. Speech-like, rhythmically free, and section-defining.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Ludwig van Beethoven

- **Work:** Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

- **Movement:** IV. Presto, Recitative

- **Era:** Classical (c. 1750–1820)

- **Composed:** 1824

- **Clef:** Bass clef

- **Difficulty:** Audition

- **Audition list:** Standard excerpt

## Bowing

A wide range of stroke lengths and weights across a short passage. Bow planning is essential.

## Where it goes wrong

Freedom has to be shared: a section recitative only works if everyone shapes it the same way, so the conventional phrasing matters more than a personal one.

## Style

It is written speech. The rhythm is notated precisely but must sound spoken, which means the phrasing carries the meaning rather than the metre.

## Techniques

symphony, audition, recitative, expressive, famous

This public reference contains work information and original practice notes. It does not publish the excerpt notation or grant permission to copy a score. Score access and rights depend on the edition and jurisdiction.

## Related excerpts

- [Beethoven: Symphony No. 5, III, Trio](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/beethoven-5-iii-bass), The most requested double bass excerpt in the repertoire. The Trio fugato, played by the section alone, fast and quiet. Audition; Classical; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Beethoven: Symphony No. 5, I, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/beethoven-5-i-bass), The four-note motif, played in unison across the low strings. Rhythmic clarity is the entire test. Intermediate; Classical; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mozart: Haffner Symphony, IV, Presto](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/mozart-35-iv-bass), The standard classical bass excerpt. Fast running passagework that has to stay light, clear, and exactly in time. Audition; Classical; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mozart: Symphony No. 39, IV, Finale](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/mozart-39-iv-bass), Fast classical running passages across the instrument. A standard test of clean shifting and light articulation at speed. Audition; Classical; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mozart: Symphony No. 40, I, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/mozart-40-i-bass), The pulsing accompaniment that opens the symphony, and the running bass line that follows. Tests classical style and rhythmic discipline. Advanced; Classical; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/beethoven-9-iv-recitative-bass