Igor Levit - Ode to Joy (from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Op.125)

Igor Levit plays the “Ode to Joy” theme from the finale of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony as well as its first three variations in celebration of Beethoven’s 250th anniversary. The sonorous piano version dates back to Franz Liszt, whose transcriptions of the Beethoven symphonies Levit has long studied and admired.

The pianist, who calls himself a “Citizen, European, Pianist” on his website, has often played the almost four-minute excerpt as a highly symbolic encore - such as his performance of the piece at the 2017 “First Night of the Proms” in London’s Royal Albert Hall, which was understood as a decidedly pro-European statement. Levit’s social awareness and will to take political stances combine with the love of Beethoven’s universal music in the musical passage of just over 100 measures.

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