Leonard Bernstein performs Beethoven's Ode to Joy

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ernestalba
April 11, 2007

Leonard Bernstein with the Vienna Philharmonic performs Beethoven's Ode to Joy. Notice how dramatic his conducting is; it's pretty funny. Because of Youtube limitations, I split this piece up into 3 sections. This is Part 1/3. I highly recommend sticking around for the famous choral reprise of the first verse in Part 2/3 and the incredible prestissimo finale in Part 3/3.

Soloists are Gwyneth Jones, Shirley Verrett, Placido Domingo, and Martti Talvela.

This first video clip is divided into the following sections:

0:00-3:36 Bernstein's introduction
1:27-2:15 The Ode to Joy played solemnly by Cello and Contrabass
2:15-3:04 A lighter, sweeter variation now including Viola and Bassoon
3:04-3:51 Larger, more expressive second variation with addition of 1st and 2nd Violins
3:52-4:38 Triumphant and majestic third variation utilizing entire orchestra. Instruments added: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, contrabassoon, cornet, trombone, and timpani
4:39-5:31 Dizzying flight of passion including the brief introduction of a blithe tune that is almost immediately interrupted by a thunderous cadence
5:33-6:30 The bass introduces the chorus to the audience
6:30-9:17 The Ode to Joy theme is now replayed with the significant inclusion of the chorus singing Schiller's poem.

German words and English translation:

Baritone Solo:
O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Oh friends, not these sounds!
Sondern lasst uns angenehmere
Rather let us sing more
anstimmen und freudenvollere.
pleasant ones, and more full of joy.

Choral Bass join in:
Freude! Freude!
Joy! Joy!

Baritone Solo:
Freude, schöner Götterfunken
Joy, beautueous spark of divinity,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Daughter of Elysium
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
We enter drunk with fire
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!
Heavenly One, your sanctuary!
Deine Zauber binden wieder
Thy magic power reunites,
Was die Mode streng geteilt;
All that custom has strictly divided
Alle menschen werden Brüder,
All men become brothers
Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.
Where your gentle wing abides.

Chorus sans Soprano:
Deine Zauber binden wieder
Thy magic power reunites,
Was die Mode streng geteilt;
All that custom has strictly divided
Alle menschen werden Brüder,
All men become brothers
Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.
Where your gentle wing abides.

Solo Alto, Tenor, and Baritone sans Soprano:
Wem der grosse Wurf gelungen,
Whoever has been so fortunate,
Eines Freundes Freund zu sein;
To be the friend of a friend

Solo Soprano enters, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone continue:
Wer ein holdes Weib errungen,
He who has obtained a dear wife,
Mische seinen Jubel ein!
Add his jubilation!
Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele
Yes, whoever also one soul
Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund!
Can call his own in the earthly round!
Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle
And who never could, he should steal
Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!
Weeping from this fellowship!

All Chorus responds (Bass one beat ahead):
Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele
Yes, whoever also one soul
Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund!
Can call his own in the earthly round!
Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle
And who never could, he should steal
Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!
Weeping from this fellowship!

Tenor and Baritone:
Freude trinken alle Wesen
All beings drink joy
An den Brüsten der Natur;
At the breasts of Nature;
Alto enters:
Alle Guten, alle Bösen
All things good, all things evil
Folgen ihrer Rosenspur.
Follow her rosy trail.
Soprano enters:
Küsse gab sie uns und Reben,
Kisses gave she us and wine,
Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod;
A friend, proven even in death;
Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben,
Ecstasy is granted even to the worm
Und der Cherub steht vor Gott.
And the cherub stands before God

All Chorus responds:
Küsse gab sie uns und Reben,
Kisses gave she us and wine,
Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod;
A friend, proven even in death;
Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben,
Ecstasy is granted even to the worm
Und der Cherub steht vor Gott.
And the cherub stands before God
Und der Cherub steht vor Gott.
And the cherub stands before God
(Alto a beat ahead) steht vor Gott.
vor Gott.
vor Gott.

Category: Music

Tags:

leonard bernstein beethoven choral ode joy ninth symphony placido domingo Vienna classical

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This is a video response to Beethoven Symphony No.9 - Bernstein 1989 (part 1)

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renardruse1987 (10 hours ago) Show Hide

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to beliaLiar,
alter alles Zahlt man im Leben, lass hier mal schön dein Frust raus,du hockst sicher in deiner mini-Soziwohnung,ohne Job, ohne Frau, ohne Zukunft...Ich habe Mitleid mir dir. Aber keine Angst, es ist ok, ich währ wahrscheinlich auch so wie du geworden wenn ich in der Schule versagt hätte-nur ich genieß mein GEILES Leben und genieß solche Musik auch Live...Und weißt du was? Frohe Weihnachten ! Oh ! Hast du überhaupt jemandem zum mitfeiern ?...Wahrscheinlich nicht...

ppchak77 (17 hours ago) Show Hide

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To start with, I am formally a Hindu, have lived in Germany and UK for about 8 years.. so, I know the background and history without being partial.. I just do not understand why some people are so dim witted and ignorant that they talk about religion when talking about 9th symphony.. Please listen to the words: "where organized religion fails". Where is the brotherhood?

Do these idiots even bother to know that he also conducted a version where joy (Freude) was replaced by freedom (Freiheit)?

plastique45 (2 days ago) Show Hide

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Its German music, idiotic mongoloid.

ShadowCrashed81 (2 days ago) Show Hide

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You are unique and special for being Antisemitic. Is that what you wanted to hear?

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ShadowCrashed81 (2 days ago) Show Hide

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So edgy.

renardruse1987 (9 hours ago)

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Leonard Bernstein performs Beethoven's Ode to Joy

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