“Ode to Joy,” or “Ode to Freedom,” depending upon what historian you consult, is one of the most recognizable and groundbreaking works of classical music in the Western canon.
And for good reason: it’s both a masterpiece and an anomaly.
The original poem, written in 1785 by German Friedrich Schiller, was immortalized in 1824 when Ludwig van Beethoven used an altered version as the basis for the fourth movement of his 9th Symphony — a highly irregular thing for a composer to do — the most prominent derivation being the theme, introduced by cellos and double bass followed by human voices.
In essence, it’s a symphony within a symphony, an intentional derivation from the norm and an exquisite example of genius not restrained by the dictates of convention.
The San Antonio Philharmonic will perform the beloved work on both Saturday and Sunday, allowing audience to experience Beethoven’s exquisite work live and in-person.
$25-$110, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-5700, saphil.org.
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This article appears in Nov 13-26, 2024.