Beethovens 9te

In the Beethoven anniversary year of 2027, one symphony in particular must not be missing from the program: the Ninth! Its famous final chorus, whose lyrics are taken from Schiller’s poem “Ode to Joy,” calls for togetherness, brotherly love, and joy.

In the same spirit, the Leverkusen City Choir, conducted by Michael Utz, calls on us to turn toward one another and celebrate our humanity in the true spirit of Beethoven and Schiller. But it’s not just the fourth movement that’s worth hearing. Beethoven guides the listener spectacularly through his symphony, subtly allowing the “Joy, beautiful spark of the gods” theme to resound again and again.

A symphony brought to life by words—this sparked major debates at the time, but ultimately paved the way for many composers to incorporate singers into symphonies. A piece of music steeped in history, then, whose significance could not be more relevant today.

Info

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor

Leverkusen City Choir, New Rhenish Chamber Orchestra, Michael Utz, conductor

5:30 p.m.: Introduction to the work in the Terrassensaal