beethoven had been interested in schiller’s famous poem since he was young. in 1817 he started to write the first two movements of the symphony. in 1822 he decided to use schiller’s poem in the symphony. most of the rest of the symphony was written in 1823 and he finished it in 1824. it was first performed in may of that year. beethoven conducted the performance. the story is told that he wondered why the audience were not applauding when it had finished. they were applauding, but beethoven was deaf so he could not hear. caroline unger, the alto soloist, made him turn round, and he saw that people were applauding enthusiastically.