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IV Fourth Movement

Presto; Allegro assai

Urgent Allegro Allegro

D major, 4/4 time, variations

The fourth movement is the summary of the entire symphony, written in the form of variations. Here again, the author breaks through tradition and introduces the chorus into the symphony, forming the center and climax of the entire work, thereby more profoundly embodying the theme of the work.

The fourth movement is the essence of the entire work and is usually divided into two parts - the prelude and the vocals. In some records, the fourth movement occupies a separate track, and some records divide the introduction part and the vocal solo, duet, and chorus parts into two tracks, but in fact, both belong to the fourth movement as a whole. The vocal part sings the poem "Ode to Joy" by the German poet Schiller. But before the vocal part comes on stage, the music goes through the agonizing experience of a long instrumental part, containing memories of the first three movements.

This prologue is strong and thrilling. Then the wooden pipe slowly introduced the theme of "Ode to Joy", like a ray of sunshine breaking through the dense clouds and spreading to the earth. The whole theme of joy gradually kicked off, and Beethoven's real ideal kingdom was right in front of him!

After a series of preparations, the vocal part finally surfaced and the singing of "Ode to Joy" began! As mentioned before, this poem was the composer's lifelong love. Therefore, at the last moment of the creation of the "Ninth Symphony", Beethoven was not even willing to put the singing part of "Ode to Joy" into his work prematurely. He was not willing to regard "Ninth Symphony" as his final work in the field of symphony and as the embodiment of his highest ideal. At that time, he was still planning "Tenth Symphony" and even "Eleventh" and "Twelfth". 》. But in the end Le Sheng compromised. Perhaps it was fate or coincidence, "Symphony No. 9" became Beethoven's last symphony, and ultimately became the pinnacle of his composition career.

At the beginning of the first part, it was like a volcano erupting, showing huge energy and breaking through all shackles. The power accumulated by mankind over a long period of time burst out, and the change was overwhelming, destroying all feudal and ugly things. Change creates favorable conditions for the progress and development of human society. The music follows fragments that repeat the themes of the first three movements, but are broken up by melodies that represent the human desire for freedom and joy. The wind instrument blows a thrilling presto phrase, like a fierce and terrifying horn sound, but it is quickly interrupted by the pleasant tune of the bass strings.

Beethoven once wrote libretto for Yi Shu Tune. Although it was not used, it can help us understand the author's conception and intention more accurately. For the first time, after the roar of the wind instruments, the lyrics of the tune are:

"No, this will remind us of the time of despair. Today is a day of victory, and we should celebrate it with singing and dancing";

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After the introduction theme of the first movement, the lyrics are:

"Ah, no, not this, I want something more pleasant";

The music has just returned to humor. When it comes to the theme, it is appropriate to shout again:

"Don't want this, it's just a joke, want something better and more noble";

When the slow movement plays, the answer is still Dissatisfaction:

"This is too delicate, I need something exciting."

At this time, the theme of "Ode to Joy" vaguely appeared, and Yi Xudiao immediately echoed:

"That's right, I finally found it!"

After intense and thorough preparation. Finally, the long-awaited theme of "Ode to Joy" appeared, symbolizing that after hard struggle, mankind has finally found the way to freedom and joy.

Then, starting from the bass string instruments, the theme of "Ode to Joy" was solemnly played. The simple melody and the dull voice came from the distance. Violas and violins were added during repetitions, and the strings were switched to wind instruments, and the sound also gradually Intensify, and finally the band plays in full, creating a powerful momentum. Before entering the vocal part, there was another fierce horn sound at the beginning of the music period, forming a huge torrent that was unstoppable and people were advancing rapidly on the road to freedom and joy. After the variation on the theme of "Ode to Joy", there was a storm-like sound again. But this time it was people singing from the heart.

Then the baritone solo opened the prelude to the "Ode to Joy" chorus:

"O Freunde, nicht diese T?ne! Sondern lasst uns angenehmere. Anstimmen, und freudenvollere. ( Ah! Friends, why bother repeating the same old tune! Let us sing together into a joyful chorus!)"

The author uses the German poet Schiller's "Ode to Joy" as the lyrics, and these poems are all from solo. Or it begins with a chorus, and is repeated by the chorus. The theme changes in tone with each variation, but always maintains a joyful mood. The seventh variation is a purely instrumental military march; the ninth variation is an orchestra fugue. After the glorious cantata reappears, the music shifts to the solemn Andante. A new theme, like a hymn in recitative mode, calls on hundreds of millions of people to unite. In the eleventh variation, it forms a double-theme fugue with the joy theme. In the end, the chorus and band's performance became more and more fiery, faster and faster, and the ending was high and exciting, and the atmosphere was jubilant. The music ended at a rapid pace, with cheers of unity and victory and an atmosphere of excitement and jubilation.

Here we must understand that Beethoven and Schiller are different in their understanding of the basic idea of ??"Ode to Joy". Schiller believes that joy is the prerequisite for becoming brothers, while Beethoven believes that freedom Equality and fraternity are the prerequisite for joy. People must strive for it in order to be liberated. Joy is not a gift from God, but depends on people's struggle. Joy belongs to the liberated people themselves.

The addition of the chorus brings the whole music into a sacred realm, where thoughts and emotions are sublimated, and all ugly things are ashamed of themselves under the light of thought. After their own hard struggle, human beings finally gained liberation, gained freedom and joy, and finally entered a sacred ideal world.

Evaluation

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony stands proudly among the many symphonies of ancient and modern times. When Romain Rolland commented on Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, he wrote:

“Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is a meeting point. Many streams coming together from very far away places, and from completely different places. ——All kinds of dreams and hopes of human beings from all eras are mixed in it. Moreover, it is different from the other eight symphonies. It can also be said that it looks down on everything in the past from the top of the mountain.

Due to the long time that has passed between the "Eighth Symphony" and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, its horizons have become extraordinarily broad, so it can fly overlooking the "complete book of his career"

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony can be said to be Beethoven’s “complete book of career”. Romain Rolland also said: "Beethoven's life is like a stormy day." Indeed, his life is a continuation of tragic suffering. He was born under the "unfortunate starlight" and lost his mother when he was young. He had to struggle to take care of his alcoholic father and brothers. It was not easy for him to hope that his love with Giulietta Guicciardi would mature. However, he failed again and suffered from a cursed ear disease at the age of 26, which finally led him to decide to commit suicide.

Romain Rolland said:

“Music and thought never sacrifice themselves, but enrich each other.”

“For centuries, The unattained combination of 'poetry and music' is completely integrated here.

”

Lizra said:

“A single work by a great musician can make the whole world, not only the world at the same time, but also the world afterward. In a state of excitement for more than 100 years, there is nothing else but this "Ninth Symphony". "

He is so right. The word "world" appears again and again in Schiller's poems. Both Schiller and Beethoven love "the world" and "peace" from the bottom of their hearts. "People. One of the reasons why this symphony has eternal vitality is that it has this spirit.

What if we want to recommend a work as a representative for human music culture? ? This annoying question was raised to us through a feat performed by the Americans in 1979: they sent "Chorus" onto a spacecraft, launched it into space, and used it to introduce humans to alien life on earth. Letter. We have never heard anyone disagree with this choice! "Chorus" enjoys the highest reputation and is recognized as a magnificent and majestic masterpiece. It is the first time to listen to it. , it is also easy to be infected. First-time listeners need to be reminded that it is better to regard the human voice as an instrument, rather than just treating the instrumental part as the introduction and accompaniment of the human voice, let alone the fourth movement "Ode to Joy". Due to its reputation, the first three movements were ignored.

With its passionate lyrics and fast and majestic melody, "Ode to Joy" sings people's desire for the spirit of freedom, equality and fraternity. Beethoven did not copy Schiller's original poem, but made certain deletions and modifications based on his own unique ideas to meet the needs of the music. With the exciting lyrics and Beethoven's superhuman melody complementing each other, the poem was composed in four parts. With the solos, duets and chorus of different voices, "Ode to Joy" has been sublimated. People who appreciate it get unparalleled strength and spiritual support. At the end of the movement, this atmosphere is expressed to the extreme. The whole work ends in an extremely bright and glorious scene.

The "Ninth Symphony" has become the anthem of the European Union.

Now the "Ninth Symphony" is recognized. It is Beethoven's highest achievement in the field of symphony. Many composers and musicians even believe that no work can surpass the achievement of "Chorus". Regardless of whether this statement is biased, "Ninth Symphony" will be the greatest. It is eternal! The spirit of Ode to Joy will never die! This gorgeous turn is another peak created by Beethoven. In this symphony, he changed his past resistance and unyielding, and faced the hardships of life with a smile. , this is such a lofty realm of life, “God did not give him joy, but he created joy to give to the world! ”