Ode to Joy

Was at HMV a few days back, and had a hard time restricting my impulse and passion for good recordings.

I finally decided against Lang Lang's Best and Rarities as well as a Godowsky Album, and also Arthur Grumiaux's 2CD concerto albums, and cast my vote for another recording of the Ninth. This time, by Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker's 1977 recording with DG.

The CD was an ADD. The mixing came through a little unnatural and unusually polished. However the effected is a handsome rendering of Beethoven's majesty and drama. I personally find the dynamics unusually well managed, less wild and fiery than Gardiner's yet the final analysis is that this is probably a recording I would more often listen to. It's perhaps the well layering that gives this rendition a rare clarity and cleanness.

As I was paying for the album, the cashier surprised me by praising this album. I dun have much regard for HMV's staff knowledge in non-pop/rock music.

Having listened a few times over, it had been like a rendezvous with an old lover. Memories of our time together with this charged performance brought a new breeze of intimacy and romantic experience. Just a minor note of observation, the tenor sang differently, the best version I have heard.

I have also made a deepened understanding of my love; and here's the lyrics Beethoven refined from Friedrich von Schiller's Ode to Joy:

O friends, no more these sounds!
Let us sing more cheerful songs,
more full of joy!

Joy, bright spark of divinity,
Daughter of Elysium,
Fire-inspired we tread
Thy sanctuary.

Thy magic power re-unites
All that custom has divided,
All men become brothers
Under the sway of thy gentle wings.

Whoever has created
An abiding friendship,
Or has won
A true and loving wife,
All who can call at least one soul theirs,
Join in our song of praise;
But any who cannot must creep tearfully
Away from our circle.

All creatures drink of joy
At nature's breast.
Just and unjust
Alike taste of her gift;

She gave us kisses and the fruit of the vine,
A tried friend to the end.
Even the worm can feel contentment,
And the cherub stands before God!

Gladly, like the heavenly bodies
Which He set on their courses
Through the splendor of the firmament;
Thus, brothers, you should run your race,
As a hero going to conquest.

You millions, I embrace you.
This kiss is for all the world!

Brothers, above the starry canopy
There must dwell a loving Father.

Do you fall in worship, you millions?
World, do you know your creator?

Seek him in the heavens;
Above the stars must He dwell.