He Astral Theater is preparing to be the scene of a historical commemoration: the bicentenary of the premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony “Coral”, one of the most transcendental milestones in the history of music. This concert, scheduled for this Tuesday May 7th, promises an unforgettable night where classical music will merge with innovative music appreciation techniques. The direction of this show will be in charge of Marcelo Arceknown for its unique approach to musical outreach.
The Ninth Symphony, premiered in 1824, not only represents a peak in the career of Beethoven but also symbolizes a powerful message of brotherhood and joy through its famous fourth movement, the Ode to Joy. This year, the piece reaches its bicentennial, an occasion that will be celebrated by the entire world.
The show will not only tour the entire symphony but will also place special emphasis on the “Ode to Joy,” exploring the musical structure and the messages it conveys. Beethoven intertwined in his work. In addition to interpretation, Maple will offer insights based on his extensive research on this symphony, sharing with the public curiosities and the historical context surrounding its creation. This approach aims to demystify classical music, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their prior knowledge on the subject.
The contribution of Beethoven music does not stop at technical innovation or the expansion of the symphonic repertoire; His legacy also includes a profound humanization of art, inviting listeners to “feel” beyond the technical aspects. “It does not require anything technical from us. It asks us to ‘feel’. Without realizing it, he ‘involves’ us. It’s ‘immersive’”defines Arce, underlining this immersive quality of Beethoven’s music.
In addition to live music, attendees will be able to enjoy advanced audiovisual technologies, including a giant screen projecting key parts of the symphony conducted by the legendary Herbert von Karajan. This method of music appreciation is a registered trademark of Marcelo Arcewho since 1975 has sought to bring classical music to the general public through an entertaining and educational format.
The choice of the Ninth Symphony for this event is not coincidental. Recognized as “World Heritage Site” and considered a Universal Anthem of Freedom, the work has been a symbol of unity and hope throughout the years. Its premiere, held in Vienna, marked a before and after in the musical panorama, standing out for being the first symphony that incorporated human voices within its orchestral composition, thus uniting instrumental music with choral singing in a way never seen before.
In order to connect with a broader audience, the show will also include elements of popular and contemporary music, showing the influence and relevance that Beethoven’s work has in various musical genres. From recreations by bands like Deep Purple to adaptations of his melodies into popular songs, the goal is to demonstrate how Beethoven’s legacy is still alive and constantly evolving.
—How do you experience preparing a show for this important date?
—The importance of the show is undeniable. In 2022, the International Beethoven House in Bonn, Germany, the maestro’s hometown, organized a global celebration in anticipation of the bicentenary of the premiere of the 9th Symphony on May 7, 1824 in Vienna. They granted me the exclusive in Argentina to join this global celebration. It is an event in which all the great theaters and orchestras of the world participate, paying tribute in some way to this masterpiece of Beethoven. This milestone marks 200 years of a work that transformed music and it was long ago declared the Anthem of Humanity and the World Anthem of Peace.
—What makes “Beethoven’s Ninth” so special?
—Beethoven’s 9th Symphony It has characteristics that stand out and make it relevant in everyday life, although we often do not realize it. This work resonates deeply with Argentines. It begins by narrating the destiny and tragedy of human beings in search of solace in nature and love. The second part addresses the theme of power and oppression, while the third movement is a reflection where Beethoven declares: “I recognize God in nature and nature in God.” The fourth movement, with the famous “Ode to Joy“, based on a poem by Friedrich Schiller, reaches its climax. Beethoven composed this melody at the age of 21 in his native Bonn, inspired by the libertarian text that advocates freedom as a fundamental right.
When Beethoven premiered the 9th Symphony, he was already completely deaf. An anecdote reveals his insistence on conducting the premiere from the stage, even though he could not hear the music. During rehearsal, the conductor instructed the musicians to follow him instead of Beethoven. The premiere was historic, being the first time that a symphony featured such a large orchestra. The audience’s applause was so overwhelming that it lasted five rounds of standing applause. Although he could not hear the praise, when someone tapped him on the shoulder to tell him to turn around, Beethoven stood up and cried intensely.
—What peculiarities will stand out in this tribute concert to Beethoven?
—The screen will occupy the entire stage, being enormously impressive. A significant novelty will be the projection of a historical moment: the performance of the 9th Symphony by Leonard Bernstein and the Berlin Philharmonic after the fall of the infamous Berlin Wall in 1989, in a tribute to Herbert von Karajan, who died that year and great friend of Bernstein. My show, which I call “Musical Appreciation” and which I have been performing for almost 50 years, has as its main objective to discover with the public, in simple and non-technical language, the nuances and essence of the work I present.
I show how Deep Purple-type artists performed the “Ode to Joy,” while Beethoven’s face was projected in neon above them, lighting up as youth surrenders to music. The research for this presentation was led by a letter from Beethoven’s childhood friend, which reveals the profound loneliness he experienced due to lack of love, money, and his isolation due to deafness. It is important to highlight that At the time of release there were no copyrights; The income came from the proceeds from performances or the sale of sheet music.
—How do you plan to attract all types of audiences to your show and keep their interest?
—Classical music, or as I prefer to call it, classical music, It is for everyone and very accessible, there is no reason to fear him. My show is not a traditional concert, nor a master class, much less a conference. I conduct it dynamically, setting the pace and offering explanations as we explore the entire work continuously. During the presentation, I share anecdotes, we make people laugh, cry, and they can even ask questions. Everything I say is synchronized with visual clips, thus creating a dynamic experience between the screen and the audience, which is the most important thing for us.
Over the years, I have seen a great response and evolution in the audience. In my show, I avoid any technical language and make sure everyone understands, even asking “are you guys okay?” to make sure no one gets lost. My approach is to tell a musical story, and when I prepare my script of more than 80 pages, I do it as if it were a story. That’s the key. Attracting young people is possible, you just have to know how to do it.
* Ode to Joy – Gala Marcelo Arce – Discover and Describe Beethoven. 9th “Choral” Symphony It is presented on Tuesday, May 7 at 8 p.m. at the Astral Theater (Avenida Corrientes 1639, CABA)
[Fotos: gentileza Prensa Pablo Tomaselli]
