Massive Sing-Along in Tokyo

WONG:
In Japan sweet sounds filled the air of Tokyo on Sunday. A five thousand strong chorus sang the Ode to Joy from Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Let's take a look.
STORY:
Tenors, sopranos, altos and baritones of all walks of life joined a Japanese orchestra led by German conductor Kerstin Behnke.

[Kozo Watanabe, 65-Year-Old Bass Singer]:
"I'm a bass singer, but I'm standing next to a group of alto singers so I tried my best not to sing their part!"

Singers flocked from all across Japan, while some even traveled from the United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, Nigeria and China to be part of the mega sing-along.

The German conductor says leading a 5,000 member chorus and an orchestra at once is a one-of-a-kind experience.

[Kerstin Behnke, Conductor]:
"That is, of course, something really fantastic, exciting and new but on the other hand not all that different from when its only 200 people because you always have to open up to the people and try to get them to move along with you.

The mega sing-along, which has been held annually at Tokyo's Ryogoku sumo stadium since 1985, initially began as a local event to revitalize downtown Tokyo.

Amateur singers are selected on a first-come-first-serve basis and are asked to attend a mandatory practice session before the concert.

[Rei Saotome, Audience]:
"It was very moving to see people from various countries and all across Japan singing together in tune as one big soul.

The Ninth Symphony, which lasts for more than an hour, is Beethoven's last complete symphony and is also known as one of his masterpieces.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ntd
• japan
• tokyo
• ludwig van beethoven
• music
• tenors
• sopranos
• altos
• bartones
• kerstin behnke

[tutanktunak]

It would have been nice to actually hear the performance! X(((

[felicity3kX]

They also did sing beethoven 9th in Osaka on New Year's Eve with even more people...Wish i could find that video on youtube somewhere