The Ode to Joy!

[Michael the Iconographer]

Ok, I realize this has absolutely nothing to do with Orthodoxy, BUT on Sunday I went to listen to the Cleveland Orchestra perform Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. I am a huge fan of Beethoven, I think he is a musical genious. Not to mention he is German and I am fascinated with all things German (except Lutheranism and the NSDAP). However, I realize very few people can read or translate German, so I thought I would post the words to the 4th movement of the Symphony, The Ode to Joy, a poem originally written by Friedrich von Schiller. Reading this poem reminds us just how blessed we are to have a loving God!



O friends, no more these sounds!
Let us sing more cheerful songs,
More full of joy!

(proceeding by L.v.Beethoven, the following by F.v.Schiller)

Joy, bright spark of divinity,
Daughter of Paradise,
Fire-Inspired we tread
Thy sanctuary
Thy magic power re-united
All that custom has divided
All men become brothers
Under the sway of thy gentle wings.


Whoever has created
An abiding friendship,
Or has won
A true and loving wife,
All who can call at least one soul theirs,
Join in our song of praise;
But any who cannot must creep tearfully
Away from our circle.


All creatures drink of joy
At nature's breast.
Just and unjust
Alike taste of her gift;
She gave us kisses and the fruit of the vine,
A tried friend to the end.
Even the worm can feel contentment,
And the cherub stands before God!


Gladly, like the heavenly bodies
Which He set on their courses
Through the splendour of the firmament;
Thus, brothers, you should run your race,
As a hero going to conquest.


You millions, I embrace you.
This kiss is for all the world!
Brothers, above the starry canopy
There must dwell a loving Father.
Do you fall in worship, you millions?
World, do you know your Creator?
Seek Him in the heavens;
Above the stars must He dwell

[gzt]

I like how it says, "There must dwell a loving Father."

And people don't pay enough attention to the first three movements of the symphony! During finals week this spring I cranked my roommate's stereo as high as it could possibly go and let loose [to the consternation of my neighbors], but the sheer density of musical goodness in that room almost tore a hole in the fabric of space-time, opening ourselves up to an entirely new dimension of Justice, where all neighborly strife is replaced by Peace, Love, and Justice, and the only cry is I SHALL NOT DIE, BUT LIVE, and though I only had the first three movements I immediately decided that this Beethoven fellow was kind of hip. Anyways, that's my Beethoven story [of Justice].

[Moros]

I am fascinated with all things German (except Lutheranism and the NSDAP).

That is essentially all things German. :D

(im half german, i can say that.)

[Michael the Iconographer]

That is essentially all things German. :D

(im half german, i can say that.)

You are starting to sound like my dad, who swears I am a closet nazi. Need I go through a long list of the great persons of German blood other than Luther and Hitler? Maybe I should go through the long list of all the great things the Germans have given us? I guess I will just have to raise a piece of the Blackforest Cherry Torte which I am going to make for my birthday in a few weeks as well as a half liter of Wheat Bier in your honor! :D I will make sure I post the scan of the pre-schism German ORTHODOX saints which I plan to write an Icon of in the near future for proof that not all Germans are heresiarchs. Now, if only I could find a priest who speaks German to pray a Divine Liturgy for me in German. "Geheilige verdet den Reich des Vaters und des Sonnes und des Heilige Geists...." (On that note it is time to get to Divine Liturgy and I hope I stop laughing in time).

[Reader Nilus]

Goodness I have been called that because of my love for the IMHO the greatest composer of all time, Richard Wagner.
Jeff the Finn

[Michael the Iconographer]

Well, I must explain that I have been studying Germany and German since the age of about 12 (I am now nearly 31) and have been to Germany 3x and majored in college in German History 1850-1945 with a minor in German language and the Bier I like is German and my favorite foods include Bratwurst and Schwartzwaelder kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake). I also painted the flag of the BRD (West Germany) on my wall when I was in High School and above all, I love Beethoven. So I guess my dad has a little room to tease me about being a closet Nazi. But to all this I ask, was it closet Nazis in 19th C. Russia? I think no! Is outrage!

[gzt]

I'm not a fan of Wagner [well, I like his music, but to me it doesn't seem GREAT, it's mood music], but I do dig Nietzsche. There's this guy who thought he was an atheist, but when he read Nietzsche he realized he really did believe in God, and that was that. I didn't have quite the same experience, but I can empathize... There's a good chance I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Nietzsche, if not his effect on me, then his effect on people I know.

The real question is "Sauerkraut: good or wack?"

[Michael the Iconographer]

Sauerkraut is wack! I ate it 2x in Germany to keep my German friends happy. I am much happier with a very large Bratwurst and ein mass Bier (one liter of Bier).

[Matrona]

I am a Brahms girl, myself, but I liked the Wagner pieces we played in orchestra, and I don't see why some people act like it's his fault that Hitler loved him so much. And I do love Germany, not as much as I love France, but I appreciate the cultural contributions to the world made by the lands that now make up Germany. :)

[Michael the Iconographer]

Matrona,
From what I have heard of Brahms, I do like him. I also like some Bach, although Baroque music tends to get to me after a while. It is not Wagner's fault that Hitler was enthralled with him. But as for that other comment you made: You can love both Germany and France?! I thought the two countries were mutually exclusive of each other?! That would mean you would have Bratwurst and Kartoffelsueppe for dinner and Champagne to drink? Das ist outrage!

[Matthias]

I liked that. I can't say I'm a fan of his, but I liked the words.