# Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 ("Choral")

The cellos and basses speak, preparing the entry of the human voice. Every section of the world auditions on this.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Ludwig van Beethoven

- **Work:** Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 ("Choral")

- **Movement:** IV. Presto (cello/bass recitative)

- **Era:** Classical (c. 1750–1820)

- **Composed:** 1824

- **Key:** D

- **Metre:** 4/4

- **Tempo:** Recitativo, ma in tempo approximately 66 BPM

- **Clef:** Bass clef

- **Difficulty:** Audition

- **Audition list:** Standard excerpt

## Bowing

Section unison, the principal cellist sets the rhythmic feel.

## Where it goes wrong

The most-asked audition excerpt for cello, period.

## Style

Like a speech. Every gesture has rhetorical meaning.

## Techniques

symphony, audition, recitative, 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, I, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/beethoven-5-i), The most famous four notes in Western music. Bass section plays in unison, total rhythmic clarity is everything. Intermediate; Classical; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Beethoven: Symphony No. 5, III, scherzo](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/beethoven-5-iii), The cello/bass fugato of the Trio, a notorious string excerpt for clarity, off-string articulation, and ensemble. Advanced; Classical; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Boccherini: Cello Concerto in B♭, I, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/boccherini-bflat-i), Boccherini's most famous concerto opening, galant style, virtuosic, requiring brilliance and clarity in upper positions. Advanced; Classical; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Haydn: Cello Concerto in C, I, opening solo](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/haydn-c-i), Bright, optimistic classical opening, every cellist learns this concerto. Advanced; Classical; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Haydn: Cello Concerto in D, I, opening solo](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/haydn-d-i), The other Haydn concerto. Elegant, lyrical, and a staple of every audition list. Advanced; Classical; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mozart: Symphony No. 40, I, cello accomp.](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/mozart-40-i), The cellos and basses provide the famous pulsing accompaniment to the violin theme. Comfortable; Classical; Bass clef.

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