Ode to Joy - from the Finale of Beethoven's 9th Symphony

Perhaps the most commented-upon piece of music in history, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, the "Choral Symphony", is also home to one of the most recognisable musical themes. It all began with German poet Friedrich Schiller’s 1785 poem "An die Freude" ("Ode to Joy"), which moved Beethoven to include it in an 1817 commission for a choral symphony by the Philharmonic Society of London. Beethoven produced some sketches that year, but composition did not begin in earnest till 1822, and the work was only completed in February 1824. By the time of its premiere in Vienna on 7 May 1824, Beethoven was profoundly deaf but insisted on conducting it. A famous anecdote recounts that Caroline Unger, who sang the contralto solo at the premiere, gently turned the oblivious and still-conducting composer around at the end – to face the applause.

Beethoven, who lived another three years after the symphony's premiere, and who had a sense of humour despite his stern image, would have marvelled at how his work has continued to have a life of its own 200 years after its 1824 premiere, and how it continues to spur hope in our troubled times. (Edward C. Yong)

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770–1827)
Finale (from the Alla marcia) from Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 “Choral” (1824)
Alla marcia - "Froh, wie seine Sonnen" 0:00
"Seid umschlungen, Millionen!" 3:54
Allegro ma non tante "Freude, Tochter aus Elysium" 10:00
Prestissimo - "Seid umschlungen, Millionen!" 12:21
Applause 14:00

Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Youth Choir
SBC Vox
Hans Graf, Quantedge Music Director
Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director
Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster
Johanna Falkinger, soprano
Anita Monserrat, mezzo-soprano
Seungwoo Yang, tenor
Liam James Karai, bass

Recorded live at the Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore, on 26 July 2024.
Video & Audio: msm-productions (Singapore)
Cover Photo: Chris P. Lim

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