Ode To Joy Tickets

My first exposure to Handel's St Cecelia, and it was a pleasure. The instruments and the verses were paired in wonderful harmony. The message was that music was the treasure of our lives----I could have told them that! Beethoven's Ninth was as crisp and clear as I have ever heard it. The chorus from Venezuela was excellent----so polished and clear. It was great to see such a large audience enjoying something so wonderful.

Both pieces, Handel's Ode to St. Cecelia and Beethvoven's Ninth Symphony, were absolutely superior. I have seen the Ninth staged several places, but Helmuth Rilling produced by far the best performance of it I have ever seen. Both the Baroque and Symphony orchestras were stunning. I believe the conductor's had an almost unparalled ability to coax the best from their groups.

I don't know anyone who doesn't love this symphony. It is more than a "classic." It is an icon of rapturous music. The soloists were very good. For me, the best voice was the soprano's, but I preferred watching the tenor, because his face reflected his love of the music. I do have a criticism, and coming as it does from an amateur music afficienado, may seem pretentious, however, I would have preferred a faster second movement. The tempo just wasn't quick enough for me. It dragged. On the other hand, I thought the first movement was brilliantly presented. In reading Wikipedia on Beethoven, I found this: "He was also a pivotal figure in the transition from the 18th century musical classicism to 19th century romanticism...." Helmuth Rilling certainly captured the feeling of the romantic period for me in his interpretation of the first movement. The concert opened with Matthew Halls conducting Handel's Ode on St. Cecilia's Day, which I enjoyed very much.