Description: 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 choral reprise of the first ve...More Description: 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 choral reprise of the first verse in Part 2/3 and the 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.
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Description: Leonard Bernstein conducts the Vienna Philharmonic in Beethoven's Ode to Joy. This is the final part of the piece, which contains the incredible Prestissimo Finale.
This portion of the movement begins with the contrapuntal union of the Ode to Joy and the Church Theme from the previous clip by the...More Description: Leonard Bernstein conducts the Vienna Philharmonic in Beethoven's Ode to Joy. This is the final part of the piece, which contains the incredible Prestissimo Finale.
This portion of the movement begins with the contrapuntal union of the Ode to Joy and the Church Theme from the previous clip by the full chorus.
After the choral fugue, the soloists return in a lighter, more carefree rendition of the Ode to Joy theme (2:32). Seizing on their excitement, the chorus join the soloists in the song of joy (3:10). Soon, however, the chorus falls silent as the soloists reflect one final time on the divine inspiration for joy and brotherhood with heart-rendingly beautiful cadenzas (4:13).
These cadenzas lead us to the Prestissimo finale. After a silence and a quick crescendo of strings (5:18-5:27), the entire cast, every chorus member and every player down to the triangle, launches into the finale with guns blazing. After one more interruption by a gigantic, surreal Maestoso (6:14-6:37), the orchestra charges full speed ahead to the final cadence.
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