First, I would like to point out that although I like all the movements of Beethovens 9th symphony the 4th movement is especially incredible so that is why I have decided to do this review on that particular movement.

 

The most amazing thing about this piece, is not the music, it's the fact that Beethoven wrote it when he was almost completely deaf. He must have been a genius. Many consider Beethoven's 9th symphony to be one of the greatest compositions in the western musical canon!

 

The american musician Charles Rosen said that the 4th movement was like a symphony within the bigger symphony because there are so many different parts to it.

 

For the best analysis experience, play the video and follow along with the analysis.

 

 

Analysis

 

First section

 

0:08-0:16  The movement starts with a short and dramatic presto section.

 

0:17-3:24  Short excerpts from the last three movements of the symphony are played with sections of the dramatic presto inbetween them.

 

3:25-4:21 The main Ode to Joy theme is played quietly and beautifully by just the double bass and cellos.

 

4:22-5:58 The strings and woodwind join in and the theme develops. At 4:47 listen out for the bassoons sublime part.

 

5:59-6:38 The brass section join in the theme and it develops even more and becomes much more grand.

 

6:39-7:03 A lively presto passage is played. At 6:57 listen out for the major scale.

 

7:04-7:14 A short and sweet section is played to lead back into the presto.

 

7:15-7:19 The major presto is back until the National youth choir of Great Britain choir and talented bass René Pape quickly stand.

 

7:20-7:27 The minor presto (as played at the beggining of the movement) is played as a lead up to the bass solo.

 

7:28-8:22 The bass sings O Freunde, nicht diese Töne! Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen, und freudenvollere! which means Oh friends, not these sounds! Let us instead strike up more pleasing and more joyful ones!  Then the choir replies with Freude! Freude! which means Joy! Joy!

 

8:23-8:49 The bass starts singing the famous Ode to Joy by the great German poet Friedrich Schiller. While he is singing, notice the beautiful part in the background and also how much expression he is putting into his singing.

 

Freude, schöner Götterfunken                                    Joy, beautiful spark of divinity,

Tochter aus Elysium,                                                    Daughter from Elysium,

Wir betreten feuertrunken,                                         We enter, burning with fervour,

Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!       which means       Heavenly being, your sanctuary!

Deine Zauber binden wieder                                      Your magic brings together

Was die Mode streng geteilt;                                       What fashion has sternly divided.

Alle Menschen werden Brüder,                                  All men shall become brothers,

Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.                                       wherever your gentle wings hover.

 

8:50-9:09 The music develops and the whole choir repeats the words and the tune from Deine Zauber until Flügel weilt. The leading section of music is then played.

 

9:10-9:35 The tenor, (Michael König) mezzo-soprano (Waltraud Meier) and soprano (Anna Samuil) stand to join the bass and sing the beautiful harmonized version of the original tune. The bass, tenor and mezzo-soprano sing till zu sein then the soprano joins in.

 

Wem der große Wurf gelungen,                                     Whoever has been lucky enough

Eines Freundes Freund zu sein;                                     to become a friend to a friend,

Wer ein holdes Weib errungen,                                     Whoever has found a beloved wife,

Mische seinen Jubel ein!                which means         let him join our songs of praise!

Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele                                            Yes, and anyone who can call one soul

Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund!                                    his own on this earth!

Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle                                 Any who cannot, let them slink away

Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!                                   from this gathering in tears!

 

9:36-9:55 The whole choir then repeats the phrase from Ja, wer. Then the leading section is played but quieter than before.

 

9:56-10:23 The soloists sing a new melody but with similar notes to the original ode to joy melody. The bass and tenor start singing .Then the mezzo-soprano joins in at alle guten. The soprano joins in for the amazing climax starting at küsse gab.

 

Freude trinken alle Wesen                                             Every creature drinks in joy

An den Brüsten der Natur;                                            at nature's breast;

Alle Guten, alle Bösen                                                    Good and Bad alike

Folgen ihrer Rosenspur.               which means          follow her trail of roses.

Küsse gab sie uns und Reben,                                      She gives us kisses and wine,

Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod;                                      a true friend, even in death;

Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben,                              Even the worm was given desire,

Und der Cherub steht vor Gott.                                    and the cherub stands before God.

 

10:24-11:04 As before the choir repeats the phrase from Küsse gab until vor Gott. Then for the climactic end to the first section the choir sings staccato: Und der Cherub steht vor Gott, steht vor Gott, vor Gott, vor Gott.