programme
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Symphony no. 9, op. 125 in d
performers
Cappella Amsterdam
Phion
Marc Soustrot conductor
Aylin Sezer soprano
Barbara Kozelj mezzo-soprano
Marcel Reijans tenor
Raoul Steffani bass
background
Beethoven’s final symphony is undoubtedly his most impressive. For three movements, he lets you revel in orchestral drama and the pathos that so characterizes Beethoven’s later work. But for the finale, an orchestra alone is not enough. The human voice must intervene to express the truly unspeakable joy. With Schiller’s Ode to Joy, Beethoven paints, with soloists and a large choir, a magnificent vision of a united humanity, a dream still distant even in his time. The melody he uses for this is brilliantly simple, and everyone, whether they know Beethoven or not, can hum along to the notes.
For such a powerful work, you need a conductor who has Beethoven in his DNA. This brings us to Marc Soustrot, who was the chief conductor of the Beethoven Orchestra in Bonn for many years. No one knows the details and subtleties of Beethoven’s symphonic apotheosis better than he does. For the solo parts, Phion has brought together Cappella Amsterdam and a top-class vocal quartet. With this grand final symphony, they will bring the Beethoven Festival to a resounding close.