Ode to Joy

The great Leonard Bernstein conducts from the heart.

Soloists are Gwyneth Jones, Shirley Verrett, Placido Domingo, and Martti Talvela.

"Ode To Joy" (German: "An die Freude", first line: "Freude, schöner Götterfunken") is an ode written in 1785 by the German poet, playwright and historian Friedrich Schiller, celebrating the ideal of unity and brotherhood of all mankind. It is best known for its musical setting by Ludwig van Beethoven in the final movement of his Ninth Symphony (completed in 1824), a choral symphony for orchestra, four solo voices, and choir.



The Beethoven setting is the official anthem of the European Union. The most amazing thing is that Beethoven was deaf by the time he wrote this. He imagined what each note would sound like in his head because he knew music so well. He never got to hear his own masterpiece. Beethoven truly was a genius and this finale to his “Choral” Symphony still has the ability to send shivers down the spine whilst proclaiming the greatness and optimism of humankind.



There was a poignant scene at the first performance in 1824. Despite his complete deafness, Beethoven insisted on conducting, but unknown to him the real conductor sat out of his sight beating time. As the last movement ended, Beethoven, unaware even that the music had ceased, was also unaware of the tremendous burst of applause that greeted it. One of the singers took him by the arm and turned him around so that he might actually see the ovation.

However be that as may be we can also admire this extempore version by one of the world’s most talented musicians, Beaker from the Muppets.



German words and English translation:

Baritone Solo:

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Oh friends, not these sounds!
Sondern lasst uns angenehmere
Rather let us sing more
anstimmen und freudenvollere.
pleasant ones, and more full of joy.

Choral Bass join in:

Freude! Freude!
Joy! Joy!

Baritone Solo:

Freude, schöner Götterfunken
Joy, beautueous spark of divinity,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Daughter of Elysium
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
We enter drunk with fire
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!
Heavenly One, your sanctuary!
Deine Zauber binden wieder
Thy magic power reunites,
Was die Mode streng geteilt;
All that custom has strictly divided
Alle menschen werden Brüder,
All men become brothers
Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.
Where your gentle wing abides.




Dedicated to Frederick III of Prussia the Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral" is the last complete symphony composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. At the first performance according to one witness, "the public received the musical hero with the utmost respect and sympathy, listened to his wonderful, gigantic creations with the most absorbed attention and broke out in jubilant applause, often during sections, and repeatedly at the end of them." The whole audience acclaimed him through standing ovations five times; there were handkerchiefs in the air, hats, raised hands, so that Beethoven, who could not hear the applause, could at least see the ovation gestures. The theatre house had never seen such enthusiasm in applause.

At that time, it was customary that the Imperial couple be greeted with three ovations when they entered the hall. The fact that five ovations were received by a private person who was not even employed by the state, and moreover, was a musician (a class of people who had been perceived as lackeys at court), was in itself considered almost indecent. Police agents present at the concert had to break off this spontaneous explosion of ovations. Beethoven left the concert deeply moved.