I made a spreadsheet to map out the number of recorded hours that I will be singing this week. Between all the different times, and locations, I figured Excel could be of service. I might be overwhelmed by it but regarding Beethoven’s 9th, I am simply excited.
Prior to this week, it’s been a lot of sight-reading, counting, and spot-checking. Last night was the first night the choruses combined under the great direction of our visiting Maestro Masur. He’s a dynamic, charismatic, and humorous conductor. He made the time fly until past 9 PM.
This morning, I listened to the 4th movement under a new light: I wasn’t trying to find my notes. Instead, I was listening for the words.
It’s in German- a language I have yet to learn- and is written, for the most part, Allegro and Presto. These dynamics practically inject each syllable with energy. Surprisingly, there is no Vivace written in. However, there is a part that is Adagio. I find this to be interesting and extremely effective of the great Ludwig. cuz contrast duh.
Wait. I was talking about the lyrics, no?
Like I said, B9 is written in German and taken from Fredrich Schiller’s poem, Ode to Joy. Many believe that it is the music and the composer are what makes it distinct and renown. After all, it is Beethoven’s last and, arguably, greatest work. I think it’s actually the words that fuel the majestic piece.
https://www.thoughtco.com/beethovens-ode-to-joy-lyrics-history-724410
My boi Schiller means more to me than ever before. This is mostly because I am taking a course on the aesthetics of political theory and after internalizing Kant’s lexicon grounded in aesthetic judgment, we moved on to Schiller’s disruptive introduction of the play drive. As I re-read Ode to Joy, the spirit of Schiller’s playfulness provides me with the context that( i feel) is necessary to grow in appreciation for B9 as an epic composition, compelling- urging, demanding- joy.
That’s not to say B9 doesn’t have its own traditional value because it does both on its own and within my family.
DAS RIGHT; IT’S PERSONAL
Mama sang it with her chamber chorus back in the day. To say that this doesn’t feel full circle would be a lie. I shall now return to memorizing the piece so I can look up at my Maestro and be accountable for cut-offs and phrasing cues.
cheers to Thursday
ps i was in a daily cal article LOL I FEEL SPEH SHULL
pss i had dinner with my old research boss who is cool and very hilarious
bonus story: i needed a black, 1 inch, 3 hole BLACK binder for B9. she offered me her extra white binder and suggested that I spraypaint it black.
collectif de cole 