Organization

Conductor

Leonard Bernstein

Singer

Soprano

June Anderson

Mezzo-soprano

Sarah Walker

Tenor

Klaus König

Bass

Jan-Hendrik Rootering

Others

Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks

Konzerthaus Berlin

Orchestra

Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, op. 125 ("Choral") -  (9th Symphony)

A historical document: after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Leonard Bernstein conducted Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on December 25, 1989 in the Schauspielhaus (now: Konzerthaus) Berlin. In order to give expression to the political occasion, the famous Ode to Joy was changed to "Freedom, beautiful spark of the gods". The orchestra consisted of musicians from East and West Germany, the USA, England, France and the Soviet Union: Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks and members of: Staatskapelle Dresden, Orchestra of the Kirov Theater Leningrad, London Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Orchester de Paris. Choirs: Bavarian Radio Choir and members of the Berlin Radio Choir and the Dresden Philharmonic Children's Choir.

The 9th symphony, which Beethoven composed when he was completely deaf, was first performed on May 7, 1824 in Vienna. Despite the imperfect reproduction, the public success was great, only the professional world wavered for a long time between complete rejection and enthusiastic approval. Above all, the last movement, in which Beethoven used the words of poets and human voices, contrary to the applicable stylistic laws, was criticized. Beethoven had been thinking about setting Schiller's Ode "An die Freude" to music since 1793, but it was not until the autumn of 1823, while he was working on this symphony, that he chose the "Joy of Joy" as the finale's theme. This decision arose from the realization that only a choir could express his feelings.

9. Sinfonie in d-Moll op. 125 Beethoven

Public

9th Symphony

Approved

Accordionist

Instrumentalist

Archlutenist

Baroque Flutist

Baroque Oboist

Baroque Trumpetist

Bassist

Bassoonist

Cellist

Clarinetist

Contrabassist

Cornettist

Flutist

Guitarist

Harper

Harpsichordist

Hornist

Lutenist

Mandoline Player

Musette de cour Player

Oboist

Organist

Percussionist

Pianist

Recorder Player

Saxophonist

Tenor Violinist

Timpani

Trombonist

Trumpeter

Tuba Player

Vibraphonist

Viola Pomposa Player

Viola da gamba

Viola d’amore Player

Violinist

Violino Piccolo Player

Violist

Actor

Broadcasting

Chefdirigent Musiktheater

Choir

Choreographer

Chorus Director

Chorus master

Composer

Costume designer

Dancer

Dramaturge

Executive producer

Extra

Hairstylist

Illustrator

Librettist

Lighting designer

Makeup artist

Orchestra Operations

Other

Photographer

Poet

Repetiteur

Set designer

Sound designer

Stage Manager

Stage director

Teacher

Translator

Video designer

Vocal coach

Wig & Makeup Designer

Writer

Writing and performance

Bass-baritone

Countertenor

Contralto

Baritone

Alto

Child vocalist

Continuo

Silent

Spoken

English

9th Symphony by Beethoven, Tue 01 Aug 1989, From (1989/1989), Conductor Leonard Bernstein

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Ensemble

Programme, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues