ICYMI: ... ~Today marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the #BerlinWall, a landmark event of the second half of the twentieth century, which led to the reunification of Berlin and Germany, as well as the end of the Cold War. In 1959, #Bernstein began his relationship with the city of Berlin conducting the New York Philharmonic two years before the Wall was erected. In 1979, he conducted Mahlers Symphony No. 9 with the Berlin Philharmonic. Throughout the 1980s, Bernstein used his artistic and political influence to conduct world orchestras on both sides of the Wall, at the Philharmonie (West) and the Schauspielhaus (East). It is, however, Christmas Day 1989 that Berliners will remember most. In a celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and in the exuberant spirit of freedom and world peace, Bernstein conducted Beethovens Symphony No. 9 from the Schauspielhaus in East Berlin. The concert was televised worldwide. Bernstein declared, “I am experiencing a historical moment, incomparable with others in my long, long life.” Leonard Bernstein altered Schillers text, changing “Ode to Joy” to “Ode to Freedom. He said, legend or not, I feel this is a heaven-sent moment to sing ‘Freiheit’ wherever the score indicates the word ‘Freude’. If ever there was a historic time to take an academic risk in the name of human joy, this is it, and I am sure we have Beethoven’s blessing.” The legend is that Schillers original text was Freiheit. The orchestra and chorus with members of East and West German ensembles (the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Staatskapelle Dresden, Childrens Chorus of the Dresden Philharmonic, and Berlin Radio Choir) symbolized unification and peace. Also, representing the legacy of a divided #Berlin and celebrating its reunification, musicians from the United States (New York Philharmonic), United Kingdom (London Symphony Orchestra), France (Orchestre de Paris), and the Soviet Union (Orchestra of the Kirov Theater) participated. Here is a portion of the historic 1989 concert. **IT TOOK MORE THAN SLEDGEHAMMERS TO TEAR DOWN THAT WALL!!
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 01:42:43 +0000
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