Here's something you might be interested in.
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is going off at Symphony Hall this weekend.
If Christmas is about peace on Earth and good will to all then Beethoven's setting of Schiller's poem fits well.
"Embrace each other now, you millions!
This kiss is for the whole wide world!
Brothers - over the starry firmament
A beloved Father must surely dwell.
Do you come crashing down, you millions?
Do you sense the Creator's presence, world?
Seek Him above the starry firmament,
For above the stars he surely dwells."
Beethoven's Ninth has become a symbol of unity in spite of its sundry history.
It was incorporated into the nationalism of The Third Reich as an example of German supremacy but the Ninth exceeds any context that is thrust upon it.
That holds true for contexts that we would consider to be positive such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the creation of the European Union, Christmas, and a symbol of unity.
Beethoven's Ninth is its own master.
We all have holiday commitments but if you can find a way to get to Symphony Hall this weekend, go. Go experience the apex of Western Culture.
That's right, I said it. Beethoven's Ninth is the apex of European Culture. Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Michelangelo's David, Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov, and Mozart's Magic Flute are contenders but Beethoven's Ninth stands apart.
Performances are Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IciKr8NUmKs
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is going off at Symphony Hall this weekend.
If Christmas is about peace on Earth and good will to all then Beethoven's setting of Schiller's poem fits well.
"Embrace each other now, you millions!
This kiss is for the whole wide world!
Brothers - over the starry firmament
A beloved Father must surely dwell.
Do you come crashing down, you millions?
Do you sense the Creator's presence, world?
Seek Him above the starry firmament,
For above the stars he surely dwells."
Beethoven's Ninth has become a symbol of unity in spite of its sundry history.
It was incorporated into the nationalism of The Third Reich as an example of German supremacy but the Ninth exceeds any context that is thrust upon it.
That holds true for contexts that we would consider to be positive such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the creation of the European Union, Christmas, and a symbol of unity.
Beethoven's Ninth is its own master.
We all have holiday commitments but if you can find a way to get to Symphony Hall this weekend, go. Go experience the apex of Western Culture.
That's right, I said it. Beethoven's Ninth is the apex of European Culture. Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Michelangelo's David, Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov, and Mozart's Magic Flute are contenders but Beethoven's Ninth stands apart.
Performances are Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IciKr8NUmKs