July 17, 2012 8:17 PM
Ode to Joy flashmob
Found myself crying at the exquisiteness of this. If you think you don't like classical music, here's a taste that will make you hungry for more:
HT/Mary Jane
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 - his last - was written in 1824 when he was completely deaf. It ranks among the greatest compositions of all time.
This triumphant theme emerges at the end and was based on a poem by Friederich Schiller.
From Wikipedia:
Violinist Josef Böhm recalled: "Beethoven directed the piece himself; that is, he stood before the lectern and gesticulated furiously. At times he rose, at other times he shrank to the ground, he moved as if he wanted to play all the instruments himself and sing for the whole chorus. All the musicians minded his rhythm alone while playing".When the audience applauded--testimonies differ over whether at the end of the scherzo or the whole symphony--Beethoven was several measures off and still conducting. Because of that, the contralto Caroline Unger walked over and turned Beethoven around to accept the audience's cheers and applause. According to one witness, "the public received the musical hero with the utmost respect and sympathy, listened to his wonderful, gigantic creations with the most absorbed attention and broke out in jubilant applause, often during sections, and repeatedly at the end of them." The whole audience acclaimed him through standing ovations five times; there were handkerchiefs in the air, hats, raised hands, so that Beethoven, who could not hear the applause, could at least see the ovation gestures.
Posted in Music, Music greats | Permalink
Comments
so glad you are back to writing I have been praying for you/
Posted by: karen | July 17, 2012 9:15 PM
Thanks for sharing and very happy to see you back active in your blog. God Bless you.
Posted by: santhy | July 18, 2012 2:33 AM
Barbara, I too found myself choking back tears and I am not usually moved so deeply by music - Beautiful! Thank you for sharing! Praying for you and your family :)
Posted by: valerie | July 18, 2012 10:44 AM
Wow, just WOW!
Posted by: Dismas | July 19, 2012 9:30 AM
This is my absolutely most favorite hymn of all time. The English lyrics always edify. Thanks for posting and still praying for you. Jan
Joyful, joyful
We adore Thee
God of glory
Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Hail Thee to the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day
Mortals join the mighty chorus
Which the morning stars began
Father love is reigning o'er us
Brother love binds man to man
Ever singing march we onward
Victors in the midst of strife
Joyful music lifts us Son ward
In the triumph song of life
Posted by: Jan | July 23, 2012 2:51 PM
