Page 15 - Phil Beethoven program book digital version_Neat

Program Notes

In the hearts of many, Ludwig van Beethoven stands as a true giant in our sonic universe.
December 16, 2020 marked the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. Orchestras,
ensembles and music festivals the world over made plans to celebrate in grand style this
milestone commemoration throughout that calendar year. The global pandemic, of course,
deferred those plans if they weren’t canceled outright. Such was the case with our planned
Beethoven tribute.

Our Beethoven @ 250 program was intended to be performed in the fall of 2020 in anticipation
of the birth date anniversary. It is such a strong program that we just couldn’t let it fall by the
wayside. We perform it for you now, unchanged from how we initially envisioned it.
We are so grateful the esteemed violinist initially engaged to perform with us in 2020,
Boston Symphony Orchestra associate concertmaster Alexander Velinzon, is with us this
weekend to present for you Beethoven’s monumental Violin Concerto. We also perform
Beethoven’s famous and revolutionary Fifth Symphony, music that changed the scope and
trajectory of symphonic music forever.

The program begins with music very familiar to you — in a version that has never existed
before now.

Prelude: Ode to Joy Ludwig van Beethoven
Music from Symphony No. 9, Op. 125, movement 4

When designing this tribute concert to Beethoven, I just couldn’t not include his
uplifting Ode to Joy melody. There are many instrumental versions of this hymn tune
for orchestra — yet none I could find that were true to the original version penned by
the composer. I took it upon myself to fill that void.

Every note of Prelude: Ode to Joy is by Beethoven, conceived and arranged by yours
truly.

For the most part, this prelude includes every non-vocal statement of the Ode to Joy
melody from the fourth movement of the Ninth Symphony as scored for orchestra by
Beethoven. I say “For the most part” because I just couldn’t help myself. As a grand
finale, I include the final grand choral statement of the melody in this prelude. Since
we don’t have a chorus, I scored the chorus parts for the instruments not playing that
section of the music: piccolo, both clarinets and the three trombones. Just to give it all
some extra oomph, I reassign the lead trumpet to that famous melody, too. I hope the
spirit of dear Ludwig forgives me. This all comes from a place of reverence and love.

-- Steven Karidoyanes
2021/22 SEASON Just Add Music! PAGE 13