Beethoven: Symphony No.9, 4th movement (Ode to Joy)

The popularity of Beethoven's 9th Symphony is no doubt only preceded by this 4th movement, in which the chorale and soloists open the heavens with the words by Friedrich Schiller. The lyrics are from a poem written in 1785 and revised in 1803 entitled, "An die Freude," more commonly known as "Ode to Joy."

Joy, beautiful spark of divinity,
Daughter from Elysium,
We enter, drunk with fire,
Heavenly One, thy sanctuary!
Your magics join again
What custom strictly divided;*
All people become brothers,*
Where your gentle wing abides.

Who has succeeded in the great attempt,
To be a friend's friend,
Whoever has won a lovely woman,
Add his to the jubilation!
Indeed, who calls even one soul
Theirs upon this world!
And whoever never managed, shall steal himself
Weeping away from this union.

All creatures drink of joy
At nature's breast.
Just and unjust
Alike taste of her gift;
She gave us kisses and the fruit of the vine,
A tried friend to the end.
[Even] the worm has been granted sensuality,
And the cherub stands before God!

Gladly, as His heavenly bodies fly
On their courses through the heavens,
Thus, brothers, you should run your race,
As a hero going to conquest.

You millions, I embrace you.
This kiss is for all the world!
Brothers, above the starry canopy
There must dwell a loving Father.
Do you fall in worship, you millions?
World, do you know your creator?
Seek him in the heavens;
Above the stars must He dwell
[wikipedia]

Dubbed "concert of the year" by concert aficionado Dr Benito Legarda Jr. and met with rave reviews by an jam packed audience at the Meralco Theater, in Pasig City, Philippines, the MSO concludes its 2016-2017 Season, #91YearsYoung with an all-Beethoven concert which included Chorale Fantasia.

Earlier in the season, the MSO performed the 7th and 8th Symphonies, with the 9th Symphony providing the climax on December 14, 2016. A 100-person chorale augments the 55-piece orchestra, with guest soloists from the Philippines (Margarita Gianelli, soprano and Camille Lopez Molina, mezzosoprano) and Japan (Tatsuya Higuchi, tenor and Yuchi Toyoshima, baritone). MSO's Principal Conductor and Artistic Director, Professor Arturo Molina, conducts.

Special thanks to our Patrons Antonio O Cojuangco, Kazu Sakai, Feria Tantoco Daos Law Offices, and Atty Jose A. Feria Jr., our Musical Chair Sponsors Mr Francisco Sebastian, Dr Benito Legarda Jr., the Pechaten Corporation, Mrs Jessie Huberty, Crystal Sugar Corporation, the family of the late Dr Geronimo Velasco, the Shin Kong Life Foundation, a Friend of the MSO, Mrs Dee Zobel, and our invaluable Subscribers and to the people of the Philippines.

Thanks to co-presentor Japan Foundation, and Meralco Corporation, Season Sponsors Ayala Malls, First Metro Investment Corporation, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., Air Asia Philippines, Auto Nation Group Inc., First Metro Securities Brokerage Corporation, Global Business Power, Global Executive Solutions Group, Francisco Ortigas Securities Inc., Orix Metro Leasing and Finance Corporation, TechniStock Philippines Inc., Donors Anita Ho Magsaysay Foundation Inc., Charter Ping An Insurance Corporation, Philippine Savings Bank, Surewell, Holiday Inn Hotel, the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Manila, KMP Artists, Media Sponsors 98.7 DZFE The Master's Touch, Art Plus Magazine, Primer Magazine, and Inquirer Mobile, and partners Power Mac Center Spotlight and Circuit Makati.

Margarita Gianelli, soprano
Camille Lopez Molina, mezzosoprano
Tatsuya Higuchi, tenor
Yuchi Toyoshima, baritone

Chorale:
Coro Tomasino
UST Liturgikon
Mapua Cardinal Singers
Viva Voce

Manila Symphony Orchestra
Prof. Arturo Molina, conductor