Beethoven's 9^th Symphony with Orfeón Donostiarra

Xavier Montsalvatge Spiritual song

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, op. 125

Ludwig van Beethoven transformed the symphony genre and his Ninth is the culmination, with the inclusion of a choir singing Friedrich Schiller's Ode to Joy making it especially relevant. In 2024 it will be two centuries since the genius from Bonn completed this masterpiece, commissioned in 1817 by the London Philharmonic Society. The premiere in Vienna in May 1824, when Beethoven was already completely deaf, was his last public appearance. The work leads us out of darkness into the light, beginning timidly and building up to the final magnificent choral section and explosion of joy.

The Orfeón Donostiarra will sing the choral part of this work, and also Xavier Montsalvatge’s Cant spiritual. With 125 years of experience, the Orfeón Donostiarra has earned enormous prestige and boasts a repertoire of over one hundred choral symphonies. It is considered the most important choral group in Spain. On this occasion the singers will be accompanied by the ADDA Sinfónica Alicante Orchestra under the baton of Josep Vicent, its artistic and musical director since 2015.