On May 7th, 1824, in Vienna, Austria, the musical world changed forever. The assembled crowd in the Theater am Kärntnertor heard one of the most groundbreaking and revolutionary musical performances in history. However, there was one person in attendance who didn’t hear the performance. The composer, Ludwig van Beethoven. Learn more about Beethoven’s 9th Sym ... Show More
Today
Cotton: How It Helped Build The Modern World
It is soft, common, and something most people wear almost every day. Yet behind this humble fabric lies one of the most dramatic stories in human history. Cotton connected ancient civilizations, built global trade networks, fueled the Industrial Revolution, enriched empires, and ... Show More
14m 31s
Yesterday
The World's Oddest Riots
Most riots are born from serious grievances: politics, poverty, religion, or oppression. Yet history is also filled with eruptions of violence that began for reasons so strange, so unexpected, and so absurd that they almost defy belief. Some changed cities, some embarrassed gover ... Show More
14m 21s
Apr 25
Jakob Fugger: The Richest Man in History
When you think of the richest people in history, you usually imagine kings, emperors, or maybe modern tech billionaires. Yet 500 years ago, one merchant banker from Augsburg may have been wealthier than all of them. He financed emperors, influenced papal politics, controlled vita ... Show More
15m 7s
May 2022
Beethoven's Silent Symphony (Replay)
History repeats itself this week with an episode from the HISTORY This Week archives: May 7, 1824. One of the great musical icons in history, Ludwig Van Beethoven, steps onto stage at the Kärntnertor Theater in Vienna. The audience is electric, buzzing with anticipation for a bra ... Show More
34m 41s
May 2020
Beethoven's Silent Symphony
May 7, 1824. One of the great musical icons in history, Ludwig Van Beethoven, steps onto stage at the Kärntnertor Theater in Vienna. The audience is electric, buzzing with anticipation for a brand new symphony from the legendary composer. But there’s a rumor on their minds, somet ... Show More
30m 35s
May 2021
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, "Eroica"
Two of the most famous chords in classical music propel us into this revolutionary, wild, and remarkable symphony. At the time, the Eroica symphony was the longest symphony ever written. At the time it was definitely the loudest symphony ever written! It delved into emotions that ... Show More
1h 8m
Jun 2023
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4
<p class="p1">Welcome to episode number 200 of Sticky Notes!!</p> <p class="p1">On December 22nd, 1808, a day that would live in classical music lore forever, Ludwig Van Beethoven sat down for his very last appearance as a solo pianist to play this new piano concerto, his 4th. Th ... Show More
59m 35s
Jul 2022
Haydn Symphony No. 94, "Surprise"
<p class="p1">If you want to understand how a symphony works, look no further than the works of the Father of the symphony, Joseph Haydn.</p> <p class="p1">In 1790, a concert promoter and impresario named Johann Peter Solomon showed up un-announced at the Vienna home of the great ... Show More
39m 41s