Analysis

 

Third section

 

 

15:11-16:55 The Trombones, Cellos and Double basses start and then the tenor and bass chorus joins in starting the somewhat religous section. At 15:38 listen to how beautiful the music is.

 

Seid umschlungen, Millionen!                                                  Be embraced, you millions!                      

Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt!                                                   This kiss is for the whole world!

Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt                                                     Brothers, above the canopy of stars

Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen.             Which means            must dwell a loving father.

Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen?                                                    Do you bow down before Him, you millions?

Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt?                                               Do you sense your Creator, o world?

Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt!                                                 Seek Him above the canopy of stars!

Über Sternen muß er wohnen.                                               He must dwell beyond the stars.   

 

16:55-18:49 After they sing wohnen for the second time the mood of the music changes and it says in the score that this section shold be devoted. This part sounds almost ethereal. At 18:32 notice the triplets which are played whilst the chorus sings Über Sternen muß er wohnen for the second time.

 

18:50-20:09 The sopranos and Bass chorus goes straight back to the joyous tune and words from the first section Freude, schöner Götterfunken etc, while the altos and tenors sing a variation on that tune but to the words Seid umschlungen Millionen! etc. The drums are very important in this section because they put all the emotion into the piece. At 19:57 notice the very long top C!

 

20:10-21:01 The basses sing a very detached section of music then the tenors continue it and then the altos continue the tenors. Then the whole chorus sings the passage. Then they all sing Brüder suddenly loud two times and then the music gets quieter and ethereal again.

 

 

Final section

 

21:02-23:24 The music goes into the joyous theme again and the soloists sing the words from the first section (Freude Tochter aus Elysium etc). At 21:38 the chorus joins in and the music builds. Then they all sing Alle Menschen four times then the music quietens from when they sing werden Brüder. Then the choir sings the fast tune and words from before until the Alle Menschen's where the soloists take over singing a beautiful and tune.

 

23:25-25:00 The double bass's and cello's play B's then A sharp's getting faster and louder leading to the prestissimo where the choir sings the words from section three,(Seid umschlungen, Millionen!)

At 24:22 the music turns to as maestoso for the final and proud Freude, schöner Götterfunken,Götterfunken. Then it's back to a prestissimo for the final burst of joy. At 24:57 notice the sextuplets (six notes in the space of four beats) in the big finish of an amazing piece.

 

I have spent countless hours on this analysis of Beethovens 9th symphony: 4th movement so I would really appreciate if you showed this to some people who like this type of thing!