2024.3.24 Beethoven Ninth
It was Beethoven’s death anniversary. On March 26th 1827, the great composer passed away in Vienna. On Sunday March 24th 2024, Wiener Symphoniker led by Maestro Omer Meir Wellber played Beethoven Ninth at the Taipei National Concert Hall.
Their music echoed in my head for days, and I can’t stop listening to Beethoven Ninth played by Wiener Symphoniker. Besides the music itself, I am deeply touched by Beethoven’s spirit.
With the portrait of movies and books, Beethoven is always resentful and frowning with a sharp eye glance. However, the music he created told us his expectation for this world, the yearning for nature, and dedication to love. Like《Für Elise》, which is a love letter written in music. And the Piano Sonata No.14, named as the Moonlight, describes his love for a student.
What else can we ask for when the love is beautiful like this?
With love for women, Beethoven possessed love to the world, and to life. His words: What I have in my heart and soul – must find a way out. That’s the reason for music. Therefore, in Beethoven’s music, we can love bravely, and venture fearlessly. We look up to the hero’s glory when we posses our success. We forget and forgive everything when we are in a slump, and walk forward with Beethoven to the unknown future.
In the beginning of the Fourth movement of The Ninth, the “Choral”, starts with“O Freunde”which means “Friends”.
He never had a real childhood, a true love, a healthy body, and some reputation and fortune that could pay back his talent. Though the world had owed him so much, though fate had always been threatening him, he believed the best of this world. Like a child running on the meadow, he believed in the beauty of the world and the kindness of humans. After years, this child grew up. Even though the deafness was a malicious sarcasm to him as a musician, even though he never got together with the love of his life, and he never felt the warmth from family, even though difficulties came to him endlessly, and the pain of his body never stopped, he cared and loved this world. He hoped for human spirit and humanity. And He turned all of his love and romance into an expectation for the world.
It has been almost 200 years, dear Beethoven.
I wish you a home in heaven, where there is a clear blue sky during the day, and starry night in darkness. There is a piano and a woman whom you love and loves you back. You walk in the forest, listening to the bird chirping and trees murmuring. In the afternoon, you play the piano and she plays with you. You laugh together, and play the best duet. At night, you drink wine, and read Goethe’s poems till falling asleep.
You love the simple and beautiful days, and also the world of freedom and humanity.
Maybe tonight in Taipei, you see the whole city celebrating human spirit because of your creation. People compete day and night, now they resonate with your music. The romance cannot not be told between lovers are comforted in your music. The prestigious conductor and orchestra are glorious again with your Ninth played.
Tonight, watching Maestro Omer Meir Wellber conducting your Ninth, his movements are so vivid and graceful that he is like a dancer with his slender limbs. Leading the ups and downs of the orchestra, he has perfect techniques, and the most passionate devotion. And with the bass Erwin Schrott’s deep voice, the entire auditorium silences when he sings the first word “O Freunde”. His voice is so deep and emotional that it touches the bottom of our hearts and souls. Adding on the solo singers and the choir, everything combined makes me realize that you are still here, and we are living with you.
Dear Beethoven, if you are watching tonight, watching us united by your music, watching us celebrate art, you must be excited and moved as well. And in the end of the symphony, we will have tears in our eyes, and be touched by the beauty and spirit of music created by you.
It’s your music that gives me the heart of romance, and it’s your music that makes me the courage and companion through difficulties. It’s your creation that inspires my forever love for music.
Wish this world always surrounded by your music, and wish your music be played endlessly. Wish you never feel the sorrow again, and wish you all the love in every tomorrow.
