My music story #2 Opus 80

 

 “Choral Fantasy” Opus 80           Ludwig von Beethoven. He was 38 when he composed it.

Almost 220 years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSfMH9Y5bi8&t=1269s

Seiji Ozama            conductor    Martha Algerich      piano

Saito Kinen Orchestra and Chorus  This performance was to celebrate the conductor’s 81st birthday!  

A beautiful piece of music that begs for passion and inspiration.

Beethoven was in touch with every instrument, including the human voice, and its unique contribution to the end result.

In this piece you can hear how the melody wanders, in variations, through the orchestra, visiting every instrument or group of instruments, and of course the chorus, prompted and called back by the piano.

Notice Seiji Ozawa, his energy, his connection with the 200+ musicians. He doesn’t even open his partiture.  (full score of every instrument and voice at any time and place).

It is all in his head and heart.

The energy in the orchestra and chorus makes me want to be one of them. 

The lyrics are listed below, both in German and in English.

 

Tastes differ and I think it is a good thing to hear more than one performance. It shows the elasticity in the composition. Every conductor finds his/her niche.  Each brings different moments to the foreground, which gives us a deeper understanding of the composition.

 

Following are a few more performances, for your pleasure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I8AT3S3iRc

Laurence Equilbey   conductor                               Alice Sara Ott           piano

Insula Orchestra, performing on period instruments ,  Choir: Accentus    2016

 

A smaller cast, but crystal clear, lighter and faster.   Alice’s touch is lighter, I find.  Brilliant!

I am always amazed that soloists have time to look into the orchestra while they are playing.

 

And for good measure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3V8IlaEA2Q&t=1157s

Leonard Bernstein    conductor         Homero Francesch    piano

Wiener Philharmoniker Orchestra, Wiener Jeunesse-Chor               1985

 

Barenboim is conductor and soloist.      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjiznsY0PVg

Daniel Barenboim

Berliner Philharmoniker ,  Chor der Deutschen Staatsoper

 

 

ENJOY!!!

NJOYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjiznsY0P 

Lyrics

Schmeichelnd hold und lieblich klingen
unseres Lebens Harmonien,
und dem Schönheitssinn entschwingen
Blumen sich, die ewig blühn.
Fried und Freude gleiten freundlich
wie der Wellen Wechselspiel.
Was sich drängte rauh und feindlich,
ordnet sich zu Hochgefühl.

Wenn der Töne Zauber walten
und des Wortes Weihe spricht,
muss sich Herrliches gestalten,
Nacht und Stürme werden Licht.
Äuß're Ruhe, inn're Wonne
herrschen für den Glücklichen.
Doch der Künste Frühlingssonne
läßt aus beiden Licht entstehn.

Großes, das ins Herz gedrungen,
blüht dann neu und schön empor.
Hat ein Geist sich aufgeschwungen,
hallt ihm stets ein Geisterchor.
Nehmt denn hin, ihr schönen Seelen,
froh die Gaben schöner Kunst
Wenn sich Lieb und Kraft vermählen,
lohnt den Menschen Göttergunst.[10]

Graceful, charming and sweet is the sound
Of our life's harmonies,
and from a sense of beauty arise
Flowers which eternally bloom.
Peace and joy advance in perfect concord,
like the changing play of the waves.
All that was harsh and hostile,
has turned into sublime delight.

When music's enchantment reigns,
speaking of the sacred word,
Magnificence takes form,
The night and the tempest turns to light:
Outer peace and inner bliss
Reign o'er the fortunate ones.
All art in the spring's sun
Lets light flow from both.

Greatness, once it has pierced the heart,
Then blooms anew in all its beauty.
Once one's being has taken flight,
A choir of spirits resounds in response.
Accept then, you beautiful souls,
Joyously the gifts of high art.
When love and strength are united,
Divine grace is bestowed upon Man.[10]

T

 

 

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