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Is the Curse of the Ninth Real?
Is the Curse of the Ninth real? Like the 27 Club, the curse of the ninth affects musicians. In this case, classical composers who dare to write beyond a ninth symphony challenge fate and do not always win. They say the curse started with Beethoven. But is it real? Listen and vote!
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Questions Explored in this Episode
What is the Curse of the 9th? What is history of the symphony? Who were the composers that helped to create the form? What made it popular, and who were the most popular composers? Were Beethoven and Mahler victims of the curse? Was Mozart? Is the curse real?
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Welcome back to our sponsor, Sinister Coffee and Creamery! Ghostly loves coffee and we especially love Sinister coffee. Their coffee is produced and roasted by woman. It is small batch roasted to order and they offer all of their paranormal-themed coffees on their website SinisterCoffeeAndCreamery.com or visit them on Instagram @sinistercandc. If you are in the Portland area, visit them at the PSU Farmers Market every Saturday April-November.
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#PatFacts are sponsored this episode by Tarot by Ptah. Ptah is a professional Tarot card reader with over 20 years of experience who does readings all over the Chicagoland area as well as online. To find out more about Ptah visit and like his Facebook page at Facebook.com/TarotByPtah
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Listener Mail
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History of the Symphony and the Curse
Pat explores the history of the symphony and the composers who developed and perfected it, including Joseph Hyden and Ludwig van Beethoven. He also looks at Gustav Mahler, the man who first voiced concern about the curse.
The Debate
Pat and Rebecca debate if the curse is real. While there are several composers who feared the curse, not all of them succumbed to it. It also seems to be limited to the Classical and Romantic periods of music. Why? Is it real?
Poll Results
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Sources for this Week’s Episode
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse_of_the_ninth and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Mahler and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._10 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn
Classicfm.com: https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/curse-of-the-ninth/
YouTube – “The Curse of the Ninth” – Classical Nerd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kte0t-EOCbM
WQXR.org: https://www.wqxr.org/story/how-curse-ninth-symphony-haunted-these-composers/
Academic Kids: https://www.academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Curse_of_the_ninth
VoegelinView: https://voegelinview.com/gustav-mahler-and-the-curse-of-the-ninth-symphony/
Medici.tv: https://www.medici.tv/en/collections/the-curse-of-the-ninth/
Toronto Public Library: https://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/arts_culture/2019/03/curse-or-superstition-that-is-the-question.html
Interlude: https://interlude.hk/the-curse-of-the-ninth/
NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/05/arts/music/05iht-Beating-the-Curse-of-the-Ninth.html
US News: https://travel.usnews.com/Milwaukee_WI/Things_To_Do/Pabst_Mansion_62131/
Music for this episode was performed by Michael Rivers
Intro: “III. Allegro moderato from Gargoyles” by Lowell Liebermann
Outro: “Dream Images (Love-Death Music)” by George Crumb
Bumper: “Ghost Waltz” by Lowell Liebermann
“Pat Facts” and “Ghost Story” themes by Mondo
“Time for a Debate” theme by Gail Gallagher gailgallaghermusic.com