Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Happy New Year

What could be more festive than a 10,000 voice choir singing Beethoven's "Ode to Joy?"

Even better, the choir, like the soloists and the orchestra, is entirely Japanese. 

The best part: for those who are still clinging to Freud, the German title of the piece is "Ode an die Freude."

Happy New Year!


4 comments:

Dennis said...

The Japanese have been making great strides in "Western Music" for years. One only needs to take a look at many of the major orchestras in this country and worldwide. Especially in the Violins. The Suzuki method has really advanced the technical capabilities.
I am a member of the "International Trumpet Guild" and we hold meeting in a variety of countries around the world and have many members from those countries that attend meetings here as well as being the featured performers and clinicians. We also provide scholarships for a great many young musicians.
Japan also has a growing number of Jazz and big band players as well. Some of their all girl HS big bands are excellent and well within the standard of groups in the US. Some very excellent jazz players as well.
Even though my main interests are in the Jazz area now I still love good classical work of which this is one. It brought tears to my eyes. There is nothing so beautiful for the soul than the human voice that seeks to exalt something higher than itself.
Music is a very rational and mathematically oriented endeavor that combines with human emotion to bring out the best in us. It is the balance between emotions and the rational mind.
All that is written on a musical score does not become music until a human being makes it so.
Again, a great performance.

Thanks

katzxy said...

Thank You! That's just beautiful.

Happy New Year.

Dennis said...

Stuart,

You might enjoy this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCHMXIA6mMg

This is Home Free and Jewel done "a cappella," Italian for in the manner of the chapel." Great use of the chord structure by Home Free.

Stuart Schneiderman said...

Thank you, Dennis... it was very moving.