Song Of The Day: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 “Choral” – 4. Presto – “O Freunde, Nichit Diese Tone” (Ode To Joy)

When I started this blog my main aim was to share my love of music. Not just Pop Music, Rock Music, R&B, Grind-core, New Wave, Country or whatever other genre. I have always been drawn to music without much consideration as to its genre. After all good music is good music regardless of any genre label that might attach to it. In keeping with that ethos the SOTD is one of the most famous pieces of Classical music. One that is both exhilarating and invigorating.

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ode to Joy is the fourth movement of his 9th Symphony. Its the choral finale of the Symphony and the longest movement of the Symphony clocking in at approximately 25 minutes. It also is the the final complete symphony by Beethoven. One could argue that the perfection he achieved here could not have been bettered. As someone once described it Ode To Joy is like a burst of sunlight. One that stirs up a sense of hope that makes it one of the most enduring pieces of music no matter the genre.

The melodies in this movement are sublime and the cellos at the beginning of the theme are a thing of aural beauty.

This performance of the Ode To Joy is by the Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by André Cluytens as part of the first Stereo recordings of the complete Beethoven Symphonies between 1957-1960.

In these challenging times and as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth I can think of no better piece of music to be my Song of the Day.