Masters of Classical Music | Discovering Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 (Episode 3)

With the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Claudio Abbado at the Philarmonie, Berlin (2005) and hosted by Wulf Konold who analyzes the composer Ludwig van Beethoven's most famous works.

The 'Ode to Joy', which crowns the finale of Beethoven's iconic 'Choral' Symphony, is set to one of the most memorable melodies in the entire symphonic repertoire. 'Freude, schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium' ('Joy, beautiful spark of God, Daughter of Elysium') - the opening lines of Friedrich Schiller's (1759-1805) ecstatic poem - seem almost inseparable from Beethoven's jubilant theme. Grand, wonderful and mysterious, the Ninth Symphony has perplexed and delighted its listeners since its premiere in 1824. Described by one critic as 'the most wonderful musical revelation that could be desired, or that is ever likely to be devised', and by another as 'a monstrosity', it continues to overwhelm us today.

With this symphony he evolves from the mysterious, indefinite opening of the first movement - with its avoidance of a clear tonal centre -through the middle movements, in which a few anticipatory inklings of the 'Ode to Joy' theme appear - to the celebratory finale, in which the full theme emerges in all its splendour.

Episode 4: https://rumble.com/v4k3iy0-masters-of-classical-music-discovering-haydns-symphony-no.94-surprise-episo.html