Ever since I was a child, I have always loved music
by Beethoven. I used to sneak out of bed
and hide under the dining room table so I could listen to it, whenever my parents
played it on the record player. Beethoven is arguably the greatest composer who
ever lived, and his Ninth and final symphony is universally regarded to be the
greatest piece of music ever written.
The choral is taken from a poem written by a poem written by Friedrich
Schiller in 1785.
The Ninth Symphony premiered on May 7, 1824 in Vienna. The performance was conducted by Michael Umlauf, because by that time Beethoven was completely deaf. He could not hear one note of his extraordinary symphony. Over the years millions, perhaps billions, of people have listened to Ode to Joy, a beautiful composition that the composer could hear only in his head.
The Ninth Symphony premiered on May 7, 1824 in Vienna. The performance was conducted by Michael Umlauf, because by that time Beethoven was completely deaf. He could not hear one note of his extraordinary symphony. Over the years millions, perhaps billions, of people have listened to Ode to Joy, a beautiful composition that the composer could hear only in his head.
This performance of Ode to Joy is wonderful. Imagine living in a city where this could
happen. The video is just slightly over
five minutes long, and I know folks have no patience for things on the internet
that are longer than 45 seconds. But you’re
in for a treat, so pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee – or whatever --- sit
back in your chair and relax. Be sure to
watch it to the very end, not the middle, not almost the end, but the very
end. You will get goosebumps and your
heart will soar with joy – which is what Beethoven intended.
Enjoy! I will
be back soon.
