I can't remember the first time I heard it, but it has been part of the soundtrack of the world that comes back, year after year to haunt what is an otherwise rather hum-drum existence.
Here, an excellent segment by Bill Moyers on Beethoven's Ninth Symphony; it's mystery, it's meanings, it's universal appeal.Bill Moyers, for his national public TV show this weekend (just posted online), explores the amazing political and cultural influence of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and his “Ode to Joy” around the world, past and present. It was inspired by the new film that I’ve co-produced, directed by Kerry Candaele, Following the Ninth, and the book we wrote, Journeys With Beethoven.
Remarkably, Moyers presents almost the entire seven-minute trailer for the film, which takes you from China (and Tiananmen Square) to Chile (under Pinochet) to England to Japan and elsewhere, with a special guest appearance by Billy Bragg. Before and after the trailer, Bill offers context and some very moving words of wisdom on the meaning of the Ninth, and Beethoven’s hope-despite-struggles, for our “dark” time.
Bill Moyers: Beethoven's Ninth