Бетховен: Симфония № 9 | Тан Дун, Bundesjugendorchester и Всемирный молодежный хор

Would you like to be at an event to celebrate the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 9? This video makes it possible. The 250th anniversary of the world-famous symphony was celebrated at the Beethovenfest Bonn in 2024 - naturally with a very special performance of the Ninth Symphony. It was performed using a new score created by musicologists and published in 2020. The National Youth Orchestra of Germany and the World Youth Choir at the Bonn Opera House performed under the baton of Tan Dun. The soloists are Iris Hendrickx (soprano), Jo-Pei Weng (alto), Xavier Moreno (tenor) and Johannes Schendel (bass).

(00:00) I. Allegro ma non troppo e un poco maestoso
(14:00) II. Molto vivace
(23:19) III. Adagio molto e Cantabile
(35:45) IV. Presto

Ludwig van Beethoven's (1770 - 1827) Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 was premiered in 1824 - setting a milestone in music history. With his Ninth, the German composer broke the mold of all symphonies composed up to that point. There had never been a symphony of such monumental proportions before. The sequence of movements and the form were also new. The most groundbreaking aspect, however, was that Beethoven used a mixed choir and a quartet of vocal soloists in the 4th movement in addition to the orchestra, singing a text based on Friedrich Schiller's (1759 - 1805) poem Ode to Joy - the genre of the ‘choral symphony’ had been invented.

With Schiller's text, Beethoven transformed his final symphony into a heavyweight in terms of content. To this day, the 9th Symphony stands for a series of fundamental values: the vision of cohesion—initially inspired by the revolutionary French concept of “fraternité”, or brotherhood, more commonly referred to as “solidarity” today. Even just hearing the “melody of joy” (or Ode to Joy) immediately brings these words to mind. In Friedrich Schiller's poem, many other words are used to express a desire to overcome divisions in hope of creating a peaceful world. The cry “Seyd umschlungen Millionen!” or “This kiss to the whole world!” extends to everyone. Nature, joy, and love, are turned into meaningful elements of existence. The stars and living creatures are also included in this declaration—even the worm is extended the gift of love. Friendship is also praised as a special value: “Wem der große Wurf gelungen, / Eines Freundes Freund zu seyn” can be interpreted as a guide to the pursuit of happiness, not just for individuals, but for the international community. Perhaps this is why Beethoven's Ninth is so popular around the world, as an expression of a positive global outlook that is not tied to a particular religion or ideology.

Line-up:
IRIS HENDRICKX | Soprano
JO-PEI WENG | Alto
XAVIER MORENO | Tenor
JOHANNES SCHENDEL | Bass
BUNDESJUGENDORCHESTER
WORLD YOUTH CHOIR
TAN DUN | Conductor

Composer and conductor Tan Dun was born in 1957 in a village located in the Chinese province of Hunan. As a child, he was fascinated by the rituals and ceremonies of the village shamans, in which the sounds of water, stones and other natural objects played a role. Because of the Cultural Revolution, he was initially unable to pursue his musical interests in China and, in 1974, began to work as a rice farmer. On the side, he practiced traditional Chinese string instruments. As a violinist and arranger of traditional Peking Opera, he ended up in the capital, where he was finally able to study composition at the Central Conservatory in Peking from 1977 to 1983. There, he became acquainted with internationally-renowned composers like George Crumb, Chou Wen-Chung, Hans Werner Henze and Tōru Takemitsu. He went to New York City to pursue his doctorate in 1986 Columbia University, which he completed in 1993. There, he was deeply inspired by John Cage, Philip Glass, and Steve Reich, among other artists. In his own compositions, he bridges the gap between European and Asian traditions. As a conductor, he works with prestigious orchestras around the world.

© 2024 DEUTSCHE WELLE

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