Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Today In History: Ode to Joy.

On this date in 1824, music reached its highest form of evolution with the premiere performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Beethoven received five ovations after the debut performance; it was customary for the Emperor to receive three.

On Philips' website, they claim that it's a rather definitive piece of music.

8 comments:

staghounds said...

I LOVE stories like this!!!!

Tånk yu!

Anonymous said...

Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen
Durch des Himmels pracht'gen Plan,
Laufet Bruder, eure Bahn,
Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen.

Glad, as his suns fly
Through the Heaven's glorious plan,
Run, Brother, your race,
Joyful, as a Hero in victory.


Glorious music, thanks for bringing it to mind!

theirritablearchitect said...

The Ode to Joy.

If it doesn't simultaneously exult your soul and make you cry, you are simply not human.

phlegmfatale said...

That's a validating article for me. I once had a music theory teacher snort derisively when I described this work as "merely the pinnacle of human achievement." And if you think it sounds and feels good to be in the audience, you'd go into orbit over how glorious it is to be in a chorus of 200 singing it with full orchestra. Magnificent experience.

Zdogk9 said...

Thank you, I'll have this piece of music running through my head all day. The day will be better for it.
"And if you think it sounds and feels good to be in the audience, you'd go into orbit over how glorious it is to be in a chorus of 200 singing it with full orchestra. Magnificent experience."
My hair tingles just thinking of this.

Anonymous said...

And I'll piss everyone off by bringing up its brilliant use in Clockwork Orange.

Anonymous said...

You only have praise for Beethoven because Richard Halley never finished his 5th Concerto.

staghounds said...

I don't like that version.

Those Weiner dogs just can't hit those bass chords and keep them true.