The next ensemble selection, Beethoven's Ode to Joy, is perhaps the most famous and uplifting ensemble in this textbook.
God Beams in the Redwoods | Nature was a spiritual source of renewal for nineteenth century composers. | Grace Seil Frary
Beethoven Musings
As a composer, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) labored endlessly, sketching and reworking pieces for years. By his late twenties, Beethoven was well established as a composer. He was the first composer in history to live independently of exclusive patronage and earn a lucrative living from commissions and publication of his works. Publishers fought over his music:
“They no longer bargain with me... I demand, and they pay.”
And that is a position most of us can only dream of!
Ode to Joy is a melody from Beethoven's choral symphony, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, composed between 1822 and 1824. While this mammoth symphony is widely regarded as Beethoven's greatest work, the humble yet memorable Ode to Joy melody has taken on a music life of its own, arranged in endless choral and instrumental versions.
Here's a translation of Ode to Joy's first verse:
Joy, beautiful spark of Divinity,
Daughter of Elysium,
We enter, drunk with fire,
Heavenly one, thy sanctuary!
Thy magic binds again
What custom strictly divided;
All people become brothers,
Where thy gentle wing abides.
Ode to Joy is arranged for three guitars: guitar 1 (melody), guitar 2 (harmony) and guitar 3 (bass). The individual parts in notes and TAB may be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
Learn your part before rehearsing in class with your ensemble partners. To get used to the sound of different parts while you play, practice with the audio track.
Beethoven Musings
Listen to the Track
