The end of the year in Japan is “9th”! (Includes concert information in Kanagawa Prefecture)

(TOP image) Image provided by: Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra

Feel free to enjoy! Life with concerts
File.4 Beethoven Symphony No. 9
(Kozaburo Mori/Music writer)

Speaking of the end of the year, it is the ``9th''.
4th movement "Ode to Joy". The moment when the choir of around 100 people standing at the back of the stage stood up all at once! No matter how many times I experience it, it still gives me chills.

Even so, it's very popular.
Since each professional orchestra performs several times, as well as citizen orchestras, there are probably more than 100 concerts held across the country, with tens of thousands of people reveling in Ode to Joy. It's now a typical December tradition.

It is said that it was played frequently several years after Japan's defeat in World War II, so the Japanese love for ``Ninth'' is quite old.
With the addition of a choir and the large number of performers, it is said that all of their relatives are mobilized to earn wages for New Year's Eve, but the main reason for the popularity of "The Ninth" is the fourth movement's " This is probably because the wonderful melody of ``Ode to Joy'' perfectly matched the Japanese sensibilities.
*Image provided by: Yokosuka Arts Theater

Symphony No. 9, composed by Beethoven.
It was first performed in 1824, three years before his death at the age of 56. The last symphony completed. This is a story that took place about 200 years ago.

By the way, that "Ninth". Do you know where the premiere in Japan was held?
A POW camp in Tokushima Prefecture!
The year is 1918.
It is surprising that it was played by a German soldier who was captured by the Japanese army in China after World War I. This happened exactly 100 years ago.
*“Group photo of the orchestra in the auditorium” Image provided by: Naruto German Pavilion

However, in Germany, although there are prestigious orchestras that perform on New Year's Eve, there seems to be no image that ``the end of the year = the ninth year''.
However, for Germans and Europeans, there seems to be something even more special, something very urgent about the ``Ninth''.

When the Vienna State Opera, which was destroyed in the war, was rebuilt.
At the end of 1989, the Berlin Wall fell.
The following year, East and West Germany were reunified.
Most importantly, ``Ode to Joy'' has been adopted as the song of the European Union (EU).
The fact that the poet Schiller's lyrics used in ``Ode to Joy'' are a human hymn and a strong appeal for human solidarity are evidence that they are a source of hope for the people of Europe.
And Beethoven's music!
Since his late 20s, he has been plagued by poor hearing, which is a life-threatening condition for musicians, to the point where he sent a letter that resembled a suicide note to an acquaintance.
A tremendous creative drive that always seeks newness, and the suffering that comes with it.
By the age of 40, he had lost almost all hearing in both ears. In other words, ``Ninth'' was also composed within this context.
Poor health due to hearing loss. A grumpy stubborn person.
Although he likes cleanliness, he is not good at tidying up his room, and there is an anecdote that he has moved 60 times.
In other words, Beethoven was a man who lived a difficult life.
That's why idealistic messages of peace, freedom, and solidarity never end up as pretty stories, but instead reach the hearts of people around the world as a vivid and more urgent ``light of hope.''

Introduction to the first movement, reminiscent of the beginning of the universe
Is the second movement a dance of joy and pain?
Heavenly beautiful third movement
And it begins...
For me, for you, and for the world
Sound, “Song of Joy”!!

All of the following events have ended.

[Kanagawa Prefecture “Ninth” concert information]

《Kanagawa Prefectural Hall》
■Concert for youth Yokohama Symphony Orchestra 691st regular concert
Date and time: December 16th (Sunday) 14:00 start (doors open at 13:00)
Conductor: Yuki Tobinaga
Soprano Takashina Ayano / Alto Yanori Ri / Tenor Shohei Goda / Baritone Toshiki Takeuchi
Orchestra: Yokohama Symphony Orchestra
Chorus: Yokokyo and Ninth Singing Society, Yokokyo Chorus
Price: All seats reserved 2,000 yen

■Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra Regular Concert “Ninth”
Date and time: December 21st (Friday) 19:00 start (doors open at 18:20)

(c)Greg Sailor
Conductor: Junichi Hirokami
Soprano Eri Takahashi / Alto Rina Hirayama / Tenor Hiroyuki Yoshida / Baritone Takahito Asai
Orchestra: Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra
Chorus: Kanagawa Philharmonic Choir
Price: S seat 7,000 yen, A seat 5,500 yen, B seat 4,000 yen
Youth (under 25 years old) 1,000 yen for each seat type on the day only
Seniors (over 70 years old) 10% discount on each seat type

《Yokohama Minatomirai Hall》
■Japan Philharmonic Orchestra 9th Special Concert 2018

Date and time: December 15th (Sat) 18:00 start (doors open at 17:10)
Conductor: Michiyoshi Inoue
Soprano Eimiko Suga / Alto Sumie Fukuhara / Tenor Ken Nishikori / Baritone Takashi Aoyama
Orchestra: Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
Chorus: Tokyo College of Music
Price: S seat 9,000 yen, A seat 7,500 yen, B seat 7,000 yen, C seat 6,000, P seat Ended
Ys (under 25 years old) 3,500 yen * Only a few seats left