On this day two centuries ago (May 7, 1824), Ludwig van Beethoven conducted a performance of "Ode to Joy", his musical masterpiece (Symphony No. 9). Beethoven was completely deaf at the time -- so he couldn't hear a volcanic burst of roaring applause following the performance. At that moment Beethoven was still facing the orchestra so a contralto stepped up, put her hands on his shoulders and turned Beethoven around so he could visually see the ecstatic response his composition had generated.
As a teenager Beethoven studied the poetry of Friedrich Schiller. A volume of it became Ludwig's most cherished book. He dreamt of setting Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy" to music. The poem is a tribute to freedom, peace and human happiness. Schiller described it as a “kiss for the whole world.” Beethoven carried that kiss to the rest of us where it's still felt today. "Ode to Joy" is regularly played at the Olympics and the United Nations.
No comments:
Post a Comment