Symphony No. 9, Mvt. 4

For concert band and SATB choir

This was easily the largest project I undertook by my own motivation. I've gotten into the habit of performing combined band and choir pieces at our annual Christmas concert, and I somehow managed to convince myself that I should tackle Beethoven's 9th symphony. With some reference scores on hand, I went about trying to decide which parts of the fourth movement I should include in my arrangement, keeping in mind that I had high school musicians and only a month and a half to learn the piece.

As a result, I took the 25-minute movement and trimmed it down to four minutes, while still keeping the most well-known parts of the song for the audience to enjoy. Though simplified, the piece still has ample challenges for players and singers, and, as I was blessed with a stellar accompanist, a wonderfully challenging piano accompaniment. It was premiered by the Fillmore Central High School Concert Band and Concert Choir on December 19, 2013.

Text

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.

Wem der große Wurf gelungen,
Eines Freundes Freund zu sein
Wer ein holdes Weib errungen,
Mische seinen Jubel ein!
Ja--wer auch nur eine Seele
Sein nennt auf' dem Erdenrund!
Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle
Weinend sich aus diesem Bund.

Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowering meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
call us to rejoice in Thee.

Freude, schöner Götterfunken
Tochter aus Elysium
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum.
Deine Zauber binden wieder,
Was die Mode streng geteilt;
Alle Menschen werden Brüder,
Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.

Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife;
joyful music lifts of sunward
in the triumph song of life.

Daughter of Elysium!
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory!