Sinfonia Leipzig & Karl‐Forster‐Chor: Beethoven's 9th Symphony

About the Event

Experience Beethoven's 9th Symphony and the power of peace and international understanding at the turn of the year with Sinfonia Leipzig's invitation to the Philharmonie Berlin. Ludwig van Beethoven's musical masterpiece, particularly its final movement, honors brotherhood and peace. Sinfonia Leipzig invites the audience to once again experience the 9th Symphony and the final chorus 'Ode to Joy' while remembering the significance of peace and international understanding.

The event promises a breathtaking fullness of sound. The orchestra showcases impressive timbres throughout the first three movements. However, it is the fourth and longest movement that truly captivates as the orchestra, accompanied by choir and soloists, begins the Ode to Joy. This unique combination of choir, orchestra, and soloists lends the performance an unparalleled expressiveness. The stage is graced by the internationally renowned and experienced musicians of Sinfonia Leipzig.

Beethoven was inspired by Friedrich Schiller's poem 'To Joy' throughout his life. He initially had the idea of setting the poem to music ten years before the 9th Symphony was created. However, it was during his years of work on his last symphony that he revisited this idea and ultimately produced a masterpiece that not only influenced future composers but also shaped world events. The symphony premiered in Vienna in May 1824 and has since become a pivotal musical work and the anthem of the European Union.

Knut Andreas, an esteemed conductor, frequently graces stages in Europe and South America. In 2015, he assumed the role of the Berlin Youth Symphony Orchestra's director and has served as the Chief Conductor of the Collegium musicum Potsdam Symphony Orchestra for over two decades. Earlier this year, he was appointed Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Orquestra Sinfonica de Piracicaba, one of Brazil's most distinguished orchestras. Knut Andreas acquired his musical education at the University of Potsdam and the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Academy of Music in Leipzig. In addition to his conducting career, Knut Andreas imparts his knowledge as an honorary professor, teaching musicology and music management in the cultural work course at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.