| Beethoven's famous Symphony No.9 is recognized by almost everyone around the world. In December, both professional and amateur orchestras play this symphony all over Japan. The fourth movement with a German poem, "An Die Freude - at the joy" by Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, makes this piece magnificent.
This symphony was conducted by Beethoven himself at the Kel甁 Nator theatre in May 1824 for the first time. Since Beethoven had lost his power of hearing, he could not recognize the big applause at the end of the concert. When the alto soloist made him turn to the audience, he only made a rough bow, as a bear would do. This is a famous episode about this symphony.
Composer, the more talented he or she is, the more difficult for him or her to fit the audience's taste. The music of genius composers tend not to be accepted during his or her lifetime. They have a hard time earning money to support themselves. Mozart and Beethoven composed many masterpieces, which were only appreciated after their death. Life is not so simple, is it?
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart created naive, graceful and natural music. On the other hand, Beethoven portrays an image of an awkward, too serious and honest man. In his music, he expressed fully what he felt as a human being and his love for life. Strict framework, intensive stress signs, many sforzandos, and not beautiful but rugged motifs reflect his will and wish. This is reflected in Symphony No.9 where Beethoven tried to express himself by adding human voices-chorus and solos.
I have conducted the music of many different composers. I always feel the importance of every single sound in Beethoven's music because if you play exactry to his notes, you can easily realize what he wanted to express. Beethoven's strong belief in music is expressed in his work. This has been catching the heart of many people for a long time and perhaps, a long time to come.
The First Movement Allegro non troppo un poco maestoso
Very strict Sonata form. Although the first motif is very rugged, he creates a total space by dividing, combining, and repeating the motif. Momentum grows in the last part. You can sense big stones are about to start rolling by the power of this part.
The Second Movement Molto Vivace
One of Beethoven's characteristics is his own rhythmical style. Strong rhythms play a main role in this movement. Timpani of high key emphasize the style. A trio follows to create pastoral atmosphere.
The Third Movement Molto Adagio
This movement is quite different from the first and second movements. It is calm and heavenly. It is unbelievable for me that Beethoven created such a beautiful and healing part. A sense of heaven can be felt without any anxiety, trouble or pitiful desire. You could happily fall to sleep here!
The Fourth Movement Presto
The first three movements were so wonderfully perfect that Beethoven spent even more energy creating a way to introduce the chorus meaningfully. The strings of lower parts tell you, as the story-teller, that the first three movements are not perfect. After this complicated process, FREUDE - a joy that Beethoven wants to express most, is introduced. His message, that has been attracting person's hearts, is expressed through Schiller's poem, "Deine Zauber binden wieder, was die Mode streng geteilt, alle Menschen werden Bruder, wo dein sanfter Flugel weilt." Translated, this poem means, "People divided in severe ways will be brought together by God's magic power and they will become brothers under God's magic wings."
This phrase seems quite valuable as we enter the 21st century because we are having a hard time to find something to believe in. I cannot admire enough, Beethovenﾍs greatness to predict that this message would become so valuable now, 175 years later. I am personally very happy to have this opportunity to work on this masterpiece.
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