Ode to Joy

In Silvestrov’s short choral setting, only part of the lines from Schiller’s “Ode to Joy” used by Beethoven are heard – the verses “Joy, beautiful spark of the gods” and “You millions, I embrace you!” However, not sublimely majestic and not pathetically rejoicing, but like a gentle aspiration (tenor solo sung out of the choir) Silvestrov expresses a deep longing for a joy that is not prescribed by insane leaders and ideologies.