Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

Michael Sanderling – conductor
Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha – soprano
Rachel Frenkel – mezzosoprano
Mauro Peter – tenor
Yannick Debus – baritone
Zürcher Sing-Akademie
Luzerner Sinfonieorchester

Beethoven anniversary concerts inevitably fall short of Beethoven’s own standards. In his famous Academy Concert of 1808, he premiered, amongst other works, the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, the Fourth Piano Concerto, a concert aria, parts of the Mass in C major and the Choral Fantasy. Lasting over four hours, this was ‘too much’ even for a contemporary of the ‘Good Man’.

The Lucerne Symphony Orchestra is therefore bringing together key works by Beethoven into a compact programme in December. The Ninth Symphony forms the centrepiece: with it, Beethoven realised that vision of community, freedom and humanity which was already laid out in the Choral Fantasy.

The famous final chorus set to Schiller’s ‘Ode to Joy’ remains, to this day, more than just a musical highlight. It is a utopian appeal to humanity – and a moment in which the orchestra, choir and solo voices come together to form one great community.

Principal conductor Michael Sanderling leads the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, the Zurich Sing-Akademie and a quartet of top-class soloists comprising Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, Rachel Frenkel, Mauro Peter and Yannick Debus. In this way, the concert brings together the central themes of the season: Beethoven as the focal point, monumental symphonic works and a powerful vocal presence.