§ Singing Ode to Joy has been a tradition since 1918, when a choir of German/Austro-Hungarian prisoners in the POW camp Bando, in Japan, first performed it.
§ Many of the comments to the YT video capture the emotion that people feel across the globe:
• "Beethoven would've cried some tears of joy after seeing this..."
• "...this shows how disparate cultures can enjoy and respect each others' culture in a positive way."
• "This is the best side of humanity."
An unusual rendition—in a Mall, near Tokyo
Flash mob “Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9”
Flash mob “Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9” was performed at Omotesando Hills, Shibuya, Tokyo, on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 Tokushima Prefecture is where Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 was performed for the first time in Asia. The flash mob orchestra is an event for publicizing the 100th anniversary of this first performance to be commemorated in 2018. Conductor: Keita Matsui Solo singers: Shoko Kumada, Naoko Fujii, Aigaku Kishinami, and Takahito Asai Performer: Tokushima Kin
Flashmob Nürnberg 2014 - Ode an die Freude
Terribly touching because of its locale—Nuremberg!—and the way the old city is shown being used by its human and animal inhabitants, from children to older people. And it is a child who starts the musical dialog.
Für Zuversicht in schwierigen Zeiten. Behalten Sie Ihren Mut! For confidence in challenging times. Keep your courage! Per la fiducia nei momenti difficili. Mantieni il tuo coraggio! Por la confianza en tiempos difíciles. ¡Mantén tu coraje! Pour la confiance dans les moments difficiles. Gardez votre courage! Для уверенности в тяжёлые времена. сохраняете вы надежду! Zor zamanlarda özgüven için. Cesaretini koru!
Freude, schöner Götterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische, dein Heiligthum!
Deine Zauber binden wieder
Was die Mode streng geteilt;
Alle Menschen werden Brüder,
Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.
And finally, here, the whole symphony—
Material humbly edited by Patrice Greanville, also a huge fan of Ludwig van.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
ALL CAPTIONS AND IMAGES BY THE EDITORS NOT THE AUTHORS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
Thanks, we need some respite.