Music Appreciation Monday #8 -- Ode to Joy

Beethoven was completely deaf by the time his ninth and final symphony was given to the world, which makes it all the more amazing. The fact that he wrote it simply because he wanted to lift the world up to receive joy, to encourage people to live in harmony and love is also noteworthy -- he composed it not for money or fame or legacy or any other number of reasons that motivated the composters of his time. He did it because it simply needed to be done.

This past week, I was able to hear it twice at the Winspear Centre for Music where I work, and the 150 voices of the 6 combined choirs gave me goosebumps and brought me to tears simultaneously. It's an incredible piece of music, carrying a whole lot of unifying sentiment.

Of course, the 67 or so minutes of Beethoven's 9th deserves to be heard in its entirety to get the full impact of the emotion and joy it can carry. But here's just the choral part of it, for your enjoyment. And especially for Eleanor, who is, perhaps, my most regular Monday music appreciator.

Enjoy!