SF Symphony: Beethoven's Ninth, Ode To Joy

Of all the performances I have seen over the past 20 years or so, Beethoven's Ninth, which I saw on Friday, was perhaps my favorite of all. It is a one act of 66 minutes (but who's counting, right?) of astounding orchestral music and a chorus that probably numbered at least 100 voices. We all know the melody of the Ode to Joy and that last movement is so filled with emotion that it was all I could do to keep from cheering out loud half way through the build up to final shout-out to Beethoven's Joy.

Tom and I, in the past, went to the symphony often. But then the recession of the 2008-2009 years were tough on all of us and the money for tickets was necessary for car payments and rent. But this year, being the excellent friend that he is, Tom bought tickets to see Michael Tilson Thomas direct the symphony in this masterpiece. And a masterpiece it was! 

Our seats were in the loge area, which means we had roomy seats just a step above the entire orchestra.  You can see every instrument and follow the flow of the music not just by listening but by watching the musicians and their grasp of the music. The loge seats are the best in the house (and thus their price reflects that) and the scope of the orchestra gives you a physical sense of the music as well as perfect acoustics.

There is no way to describe the journey this symphony of Beethoven has. It is, as the program described it, a journey from darkness to light. Crashing chords, sadness, pathos and then a slow, gradual climb from depths to middle ground and peace, then the ascent, higher and higher to the platform of joy and wonder and love. What a musical triumph this is!

Here is a short video of a totally different Ode to Joy experience from the SF Symphony but the joy and the emotion are so evident.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87qT5BOl2XU

And another more classical look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uooe16ILaPo

I say do yourself a favor, find a good recording of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, take an hour and sit and listen to it. The first movement is familiar, the second less so. The third is so well-known for many reasons and then we get to the fourth movement, the one we wait for, the Ode to Joy with the chorus and every instrument in the orchestra jumping for joy.  It will be an hour well spent.

Thank you, Tom, for the early Christmas gift!

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