ODE TO JOY – BEETHOVEN 9

Beethoven anniversary concerts inevitably fall short of Beethoven’s own standards. In his famous Academy Concert of 1808, he premiered, among other works, the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, the Fourth Piano Concerto, a concert aria, parts of the Mass in C major and the Choral Fantasy. Lasting more than four hours, the evening was “too much of a good thing” even for one contemporary listener.

The Luzerner Sinfonieorchester therefore brings together central works by Beethoven in December in a compact focus. The Ninth Symphony forms its centre of gravity: with it, Beethoven realised the vision of community, freedom and humanity already foreshadowed in the Choral Fantasy.

The famous final chorus on Schiller’s “Ode to Joy” remains far more than a musical climax. It is a utopian appeal to humanity – and a moment in which orchestra, choir and solo voices come together as one great community.

Chief Conductor Michael Sanderling leads the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, the Zürcher Sing-Akademie and a distinguished quartet of soloists with Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, Rachel Frenkel, Mauro Peter and Yannick Debus. This concert thus brings together central lines of the season: Beethoven as a centre of energy, monumental symphonic music and a powerful vocal presence.