The Ninth Symphony: A Beautiful Vision for Humanity in Times of Great Turbulence

We at the Foundation want to thank all of you who are helping to make possible this performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and other classical compositions commemorating the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Together with other New York City musicians, we offer Beethoven’s Ninth as a true pathway out of a world at war—a conviction at the heart of Beethoven’s own artistic vision. When the words of the “Ode to Joy” are sung in the symphony’s fourth movement, they are soon transformed into a joyful “Turkish March”—a military march of the whole world, of men and women who have formed themselves into a nonviolent army for Beauty and for Truth.

“The age is our curse; the unproductive, its very basis. That which lies on the surface is illuminated, the depths are left in darkness. This means that everything that is a part of the surface is stressed, just as the other is hidden, repressed. This process has been extraordinarily intensified in the last few years, both in Europe and America.” These were the words written by the German conductor and composer Wilhelm Furtwängler 99 years ago, in 1927. They were not intended as an indictment, but as an incentive to make things better.

Our 9/11 performance will be remarkable for one particular reason: it will be the first time in at least a century that Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony has been performed at the “Verdi tuning” of C256 (A427–435) on modern, rather than early or “period,” instruments. This technical distinction is important because performing at this pitch allows the singing voices—sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses—to achieve the greatest possible transparency, so that the words and the message of the work can be conveyed as clearly as possible. Equally notable, however, is that the majority of the singers are not professionals. The purpose of the Foundation for the Revival of Classical Culture is to give all people, regardless of their musical background, the opportunity to participate directly with dozens or even hundreds of others in creating the most beautiful tapestry of human interaction available through choral singing.

More than 800 languages are spoken in our beautiful city—more than in any other city in the world. What if those many voices could be lifted together in song? Every culture has produced music that gives voice to our shared humanity. For 9/11, we choose Beethoven as a beginning—a pathway forward.

We did not charge for this concert, but it costs tens of thousands of dollars to produce. We therefore need your most generous support. For this event and its surrounding efforts, we are still in need of funds. In this year of our country’s 250th birthday and the 25th anniversary of 9/11, please give as generously as possible. The Foundation for the Revival of Classical Culture is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Thank you for helping us bring Beethoven’s beautiful vision of humanity to life.