Ode to Joy

On this Easter morning I set out to find one video clip of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" portion of his Ninth Symphony to post on my Facebook. I found such a wealth of expression for this musical masterpiece, it was hard to select just one. I narrowed it down to a vintage clip of the legendary Leonard Bernstein conducting the Vienna Philharmonic, posted it on my timeline, then decided to bring a selection of the diverse expressions over to Ovations. If you have the time to listen, here's a musical tour of this magnificent classic.

Leonard Bernstein conducts the Vienna Philharmonic in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony's "Ode to Joy."

Opening ceremonies of the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, World Chorus symphony conducted by Seiji Ozawa.

Here is Zubin Mehta with Italian Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra, a concert to benefit Japan earthquake relief in 2011.

The complete "Ode to Joy" sung in German, with English subtitles.

From the 1994 film Blessed Immortal, the scene when Beethoven recalls his childhood.

National Children's Choir, Ireland 2007.

Children's recorder choir from Arden Cahill Academy.

Ode to Joy as expressed by the National Ukulele Choir of Great Britain.

Folk singer Pete Seeger's banjo and whistling rendition of "Ode to Joy."

Soulful funk now from the film Sister Act 2, choir conducted by Whoppi Goldberg as Sister Deloris.

Traditional choral by Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir.

Concert harp by Jon Kovac.

Celtic harp by Mike Gurule.

Folk expression on the autoharp.

On the mouth harp (harmonica) by Chris Mayka.

By Jamie Turner on "glass harp" (water-filled glasses).

Beaker the Muppet in Sesame's Street's "Mee, mee, mee."

A Clockwork Orange "Ode to Joy."

On organ by M.P. Moller at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Hudson, Ohio.

Smooth jazz by Larry McDonough Quartet.

Matt Lemmler's New Orleans Jazz Revival Band at Williams Trace Baptist Church, Sugarland, Texas.

Samuel Ramey solos in German.

Steady breath from 2008-2009 East Peoria Woodwind Quartet.

Contemporary rock expression by Casting Crowns.

Happy listening on this Easter day.