Ode to Joy
Ludwig van Beethoven / Gerhard Buchner (arrangement)
Great arrangement from the 4th movement of the 9th Symphony
Content and score samples: Introduction Presto · Theme Allegro assai · Choir 2 "Wem der große Wurf gelungen" · Alla Marcia · Choir 3 "Freude, schöner Götterfunken" · Choir 4 "Seid umschlungen, Millionen", Andante maestoso · Presto

The Ode is much more than the European Hymn. This new arrangement combines the essential choir and orchestra parts, but without solo vocalists. Thus this masterpiece of classical music becomes singable and playable for school and amateur ensembles. The performance converts any festivity into a splendid celebration!

There are only two indispensable vocal parts, soprano and alto (children's choir). A third voice, baritone, can be added. The high soprano parts, dreaded even by professionals, are avoided by transposition. The highest note for soprano is e'. The orchestra supports all of the choir parts. The chosen text verses are easily understood by young singers.

Strings can perform this arrangement alone. The degree of difficulty ranges from medium to relatively easy, in descending order for 1st, 2nd and 3rd violin (or viola). Cello and bass, if desired, have a medium degree of difficulty.

A full orchestra best captures the character of this work. The following winds are desirable: C I / II (flute and oboe / 2nd flute), B-flat I / II (clarinet and trumpet / 2nd clarinet), F I / II (2 French horns) – additional extra prints in b-flat for tenor horn or in e-flat are available for download, C - bass (bassoon or trombone). All wind parts have a medium degree of difficulty. Possible percussion instruments include timpani, bass drum, cymbal and triangle. A piano arrangement facilitates learning the movement, especially for the choir.

The sung about Joy is undoubtedly communicated to the students already while rehearsing. The result is a collective sense of achievement which at least carries an idea of Friedrich von Schiller's fascination for the conjoining effect of joy. This presentation turns any festivety into a splendid celebration.

I was considering quite some time, whether to rehearse this piece with my school choir and orchestra or not. Frankly, I was afraid that this great opus ... could maybe become its own caricature by this form of cutback. But already during the first rehearsals it became obvious that this was nothing to worry about. You've done a fantastic arrangement, which gives students a chance to get to know a part of this great symphony.

Irene Dick, Gymnasium Eversten, Oldenburg (Germany)

	string section	TM 2001 score, piano, 5 x VI l, 4 x VI II, 3 x VI III + Va, Vc / Cb, choir scores	112,-	191,-
	symphonic orchestra	TM 2003 like TM 2001; winds respectively 2 x C I / II , B-flat I / II, 2 x F, 2 x C-bass / timpani + percussion instruments, choir scores	146,-	248,-
		TM 2007 only piano score and 10 choral voices	33,-	59,-