European Anthem, The

From Wind Repertory Project
Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven (arr. Karajan)


Subtitle: Music from the Last Movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony


General Info

Year: 1824 / 1972
Duration: c. 2:15
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Schott Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - €49.00   |   Score Only (print) - €19.50


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Flugelhorn I-II
Tenor Horn I-II-III
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba I-II
String Bass
Timpani


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The European Hymn is the hymn not only of the European Union but of Europe in a broader sense. The melody has been taken from the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven from 1823. In the last movement of this symphony Beethoven set music to the Ode to Joy by Friedrich von Schiller from 1785. This poem sprang from Schiller's idealistic vision of men who become brothers – a vision Beethoven shared with him.

In 1972 the Council of Europe adopted Beethoven's Ode to Joy as its anthem. The well-known conductor Herbert von Karajan was commissioned to arrange three instrumental versions – for solo piano, wind orchestra and symphony orchestra. Without words, in the universal language of music, the anthem is an expression of the idealistic values of freedom, peace and solidarity which Europe stands for.

In 1985 the heads of state and government adopted the hymn as the EU's official anthem. It does not replace the national anthems of the member states, but rather celebrates common values as well as unity in diversity.

- Program Note from publisher


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • World Youth Wind Orchestra Project (WYWOP) (Schladming, Aus.) (Verena Mosenbichler-Bryant, conductor) - 16 July 2022


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Beethoven, L.; Karajan, H. (1972). The European anthem = L'Hymne Européen = Europahymne = L'Inno Europeo : Music from the last movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony [score]. B. Schott's Söhne: Mainz.