Tomorrow is the 200th anniversary of the first performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. I count myself as one of the multitude who regard this piece as one of the greatest in Western classical music. Despite the loss of much of his hearing, Beethoven was one of the conductors to this premiere. The Symphony was genuinely revolutionary, not only for the 4th movement which used the poem “Ode to Joy” written by Friedrich von Schiller, but also for its incredible power, unpredictability, and exuberance.
Daniel Barenboim, writing in the New York Times today, summarizes the deeply political message of the symphony:
“….he was a deeply political man in the broadest sense of the word. He was concerned with moral behavior and the larger questions of right and wrong affecting all of society. Especially significant for him was freedom of thought and of personal expression, which he associated with the rights and responsibilities of the individual. He would have had no sympathy with the now widely held view of freedom as essentially economic, necessary for the workings of the markets.”
The symphony expresses the heady aspirations of the Enlightenment as it rested upon the vision of the bortherhood of humankind. We seem to be pretty far from realizing that aspiration today, but I remain convinced that that path is the only one remaining if humanity is to survive its recklessness and selfishness.
Friedrich von Schiller, “Ode to Joy” 1785
| An die Freude Freude, schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Wir betreten feuertrunken, Himmlische, dein Heiligtum! Deine Zauber binden wieder Was die Mode streng geteilt;* Alle Menschen werden Brüder* Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt. Wem der große Wurf gelungen Eines Freundes Freund zu sein; Wer ein holdes Weib errungen Mische seinen Jubel ein! Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund! Und wer’s nie gekonnt, der stehle Weinend sich aus diesem Bund! Freude trinken alle Wesen An den Brüsten der Natur; Alle Guten, alle Bösen Folgen ihrer Rosenspur. Küsse gab sie uns und Reben, Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod; Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben und der Cherub steht vor Gott. Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen Durch des Himmels prächt’gen Plan Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn, Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen. Seid umschlungen, Millionen! Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Brüder, über’m Sternenzelt Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen. Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen? Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt? Such’ ihn über’m Sternenzelt! Über Sternen muß er wohnen! | Ode to Joy Joy, thou shining spark of God, Daughter of Elysium, With fiery rapture, goddess, We approach thy shrine! Your magic reunites those Whom stern custom has parted;* All men will become brothers* Under your protective wing. Let the man who has had the fortune To be a helper to his friend, And the man who has won a noble woman, Join in our chorus of jubilation! Yes, even if he holds but one soul As his own in all the world! But let the man who knows nothing of this Steal away alone and in sorrow. All the world’s creatures draw Draughts of joy from nature; Both the just and the unjust Follow in her gentle footsteps. She gave us kisses and wine And a friend loyal unto death; She gave the joy of life to the lowliest, And to the angels who dwell with God. Joyous, as His suns speed Through the glorious order of Heaven, Hasten, brothers, on your way Exultant as a knight victorious. Be embraced, all ye millions! With a kiss for all the world! Brothers, beyond the stars Surely dwells a loving Father. Do you kneel before Him, oh millions? Do you feel the Creator’s presence? Seek Him beyond the stars! He must dwell beyond the stars.[4] |
“The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim performs Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the Berlin Philharmonic. It’s supported by singers Angela Denoke, Waltraud Meier, Burkhard Fritz and René Pape. The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra is a very special ensemble: It is made up of young Israeli and Arab musicians and is campaigning for a peaceful solution to the Middle East conflict.
“The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which was founded in 1999, gives concerts all over the world. Proceeds from the concert in Berlin went to the Barenboim-Said Academy, which supports musical education programs. The 9th Symphony in D minor op. 125 is the last finished symphony by the composer Ludwig van Beethoven. The work was premiered in Vienna on May 7, 1824 in the presence of Beethoven, who was already completely deaf and was a complete success. The fourth movement is also known as “Ode to Joy” and is one of the most popular songs in the world. Since 1985, the main theme of the last movement has been the official European anthem.
“I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso 00:00
“II. Molto vivace 17:54
“III. Adagio molto e cantábile 29:59
“IV. Presto 47:10 Choir of the German State Opera Berlin
“West-Eastern Divan Orchestra
“Daniel Barenboim | CONDUCTOR Angela Denoke | SOPRANO Waltraud Meier | MEZZO SOPRANO Burkhard Fritz | TENOR René Pape | BASS”
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