ANTHEM OF THE PEOPLES

It is no exaggeration to describe Symphony No. 9 as the most important masterpiece of European music, which has accompanied us through our great losses and victories: one of the sources of inspiration for Wagner's 'Gesamtkunstwerk' (“complete work of art”), an anthem of freedom, for many the music that accompanied the fall of the Berlin Wall. Some see the revelation of a self-righteous genius in it, others the power of a common spirit. The first notes portray the magical act of 'creatio ex nihilo' ("creation out of nothing"), the final beats are an unrestrained celebration of the universe. In the final concert of Gábor Takács-Nagy's Beethoven cycle, we hear brilliant national vocal soloists in the symphony's grandiose choral movement, and our orchestra is joined by the National Choir. We know the story of the composer conducting deaf, who was turned to the applauding audience at the premiere: this is a radically innovative piece, still inspiring audiences today.