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Post by antoninus9 on Dec 10, 2007 0:15:26 GMT
If you have a couple of spare dollars and want to participate it should be quite interesting. Order or purchase a copy of Beethoven's 9th Symphony by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It's important that we all listen to the same version because different conductors play the piece differently. Even if you don't like classical this will be worth your time. I promise. Listen only to movement 4 (Presto; Allegro assai) and learn the lyrics in your native tongue. (They are in German on the CD). Try to sing along as best you can, even if you're not talented. I realize this may take a few weeks, if anyone will even try it. If there is a group that did it, let's discuss what impact it had on you and your perspective of Freemasonry. Beethoven was a Freemason and I think he wrote this piece just for us. :-) Fraternally, Jeff PS: Here's a link to it on Amazon www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphony-No-Donald-Gramm/dp/B000003FJS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1197244876&sr=8-1
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Post by penfold on Dec 10, 2007 9:30:28 GMT
There have been many Masonic composers throughout the centuries including such great names as, Sibelius, Liszt, Souza, Haydn, Grofe, George Cohan, Irving Berlin, Gilbert and Sullivan to name but a few, but perhaps the most famous was Mozart.
All the above composers can be confirmed as Members from Lodge records, but Beethoven remains a puzzle.
He was probably a Freemason but no record exists of him joining a Lodge or attending meetings. However, he did write two letters which could be taken to be Faternal greetings, while one of his teachers C.G. Neefe was a mason. Beethoven composed songs for Masonic purposes, " Maurerfragen" (Masonic Questions) and "Der Freye Mann" (The Free Man). He also had many Masonic friends among the composers such as Boildieu, Franz Abe, J.N. Hummel, H.C. Litolff, G.A. Lortzing, C.D. Loewe and many more. Surely, he may have been a Mason but unfortunately, we can not say for certain that he was a Mason.
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Post by antoninus9 on Dec 10, 2007 14:39:19 GMT
I'm going to take off my hat as a historian for a moment and make a wild unsubstantiated claim.
After listening to the 9th Symphony it's obvious that Beethoven was a Freemason.
Anyone who disagrees with me will be shot, drawn and quartered, and then shot again for good measure. ;-)
lol
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Post by penfold on Dec 10, 2007 16:08:54 GMT
How 'bout pushed in the lake after being shot twice? That should definitely do it!
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Post by leonardo on Dec 10, 2007 16:13:47 GMT
Why is it important he should be considered a Freemason? Would his music sound different, better? Please don't shoot as I'm only asking
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Post by tws on Dec 10, 2007 16:23:45 GMT
How 'bout pushed in the lake after being shot twice? That should definitely do it! How about hanged, drawn, quartered, shot twice, drowned, and then burned?
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Post by antoninus9 on Dec 10, 2007 17:00:49 GMT
Bro. Leo,
It doesn't really matter. I was just giving Bro. Penfold a hard time. ;D
Jeff
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Post by leonardo on Dec 10, 2007 17:03:54 GMT
Bro. Leo, It doesn't really matter. I was just giving Bro. Penfold a hard time. ;D Jeff In that case please continue ;D
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Post by antoninus9 on Dec 10, 2007 17:21:06 GMT
The reason I want to do this experiment is because music speaks to us through emotion in ways that words alone can never do. In the last movement of Beethoven's 9th symphony there is an expression of universal brotherhood that connects to the core of our emotional being.
I believe it will allow us (even at great distances) to experience our brother/sisterhood in a powerful and meaningful way.
Jeff
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Post by cezarek on Dec 10, 2007 20:12:12 GMT
And of course these are the lyrics (albeit unofficial) of our EU national anthem, though a blander (less masonic??) alternative has recently been proposed. I think the writer, Schiller, was in the craft.
And those among us who don't find it easy to get all het up over whether or not God saves the Queen (and maybe some that do)might find Schiller's words more relevant and meaningful.
It comes across a bit better in the German, and other more recent translations are a bit more to the point, but here it is. I was in Warsaw city centre the day they joined the EU and it was a joy to sing it together with thousands of people at midnight.
Joy, beautiful spark of the gods, Daughter of Elysium, Exhilarated with your fire, Heavenly being, we enter thy sanctuary. Thy magic power reunites All that was sternly divided by custom; All Men become brothers Where your gentle wing rests
Whoever has the great good fortune To enjoy mutual friendship, Whoever has taken a loving wife, Let him join us in celebration! Yes! Even he who has nothing in the world To call his own but his soul! But he who cannot rejoice, Let him steal weeping away from our circle
All creatures partake of joy At Nature's breasts; All, just and unjust, Follow in her rosy path. She gave us kisses and vine, A friend tried in death. The worm is in ecstasy, And the Cherub stands before God.
Be embraced, you millions! Here's a kiss for the whole world! Brothers! - Above the starry vault There must dwell a loving Father. Do you fall prostrate, you millions? World, do you sense your Creator? Seek him beyond the stars! Above the starry vault he must dwell
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Post by maat on Dec 10, 2007 22:28:10 GMT
The reason I want to do this experiment is because music speaks to us through emotion in ways that words alone can never do. I remember going to an operatic recital once - no costumes, no sets - just young opera students doing their stuff. I was in tears and I had no idea what they were singing about... foreign language. I have seen asian salesman use beat and pitch to cause a veritable stampede of people to claim their 'last chance' to purchase goods, and there were literally hundreds and hundreds of the same goods surrounding them. Scary stuff. Hitler was well versed in the same art I hear tell. And of course we all know about the famous marching pipers.. Maat
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vtmason
Member
Running Dog Lackey
Posts: 251
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Post by vtmason on Dec 10, 2007 22:32:36 GMT
So Jeff, where do I pick up these official lyrics?
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Post by antoninus9 on Dec 11, 2007 0:09:11 GMT
These are the lyrics I have for it.
Joy, thou source of light immortal, Daughter of Elysium! Touched with fire, to the portal, Of thy radiant shrine, we come. Your sweet magic, frees all others, Held in custom's rigid rings, All men on earth become brothers, In the haven of your wings.
Chorus Be embraced, you millions! This kiss for the entire world! Brothers, above the starry canopy Must a loving Father reside.
Whoever has the great fortune, To be a friend’s friend, Whoever wins the love of a lovely woman, Add his jubilation to ours! Yes, anyone also who has a soul To call his own on this earth! And anyone who never could, should run away Weeping from this brotherhood!
Chorus Those who occupy the great circle, Pay homage to sympathy! It leads to the stars Where the unknown is enthroned
Joy, all creatures drink At the bosoms of nature, All good, all evil Follow your trail of roses. Kisses she gives us, and wine, A friend, proven in death. Pleasure was given to the worm, And the cherub stands before God.
Chorus Do you fall before him, you millions? Do you sense the Creator, world? Seek him above the starry canopy, Above the stars he must live.
Joy is called the strong spring In the perpetuity of nature. Joy, joy drives the wheels In the earth’s great clock. Flowers, she calls from the buds, Suns, out of the firmament, Spheres, she rolls through space That the seer cannot know
Chorus Happy, as his suns fly Through the heavens’ magnificent plan Run, brothers, your race Joyful, as a hero to victory.
As truth’s fiery reflection Smiles at the explorer, To virtue’s steep hill She guides the silent sufferers’ path. On faith’s sunlit summit One sees her banners in the wind, Through the cracks of burst coffins They are seen in the chorus of angels.
Chorus Endure courageously, you millions! Endure for the better world! Over the starry canopy A good God will reward you!
Gods one cannot repay Beautiful it is, to be like them. Grief and poverty, acquaint yourselves With the joyful ones rejoice. Anger and revenge be forgotten, Our deadly enemy be forgiven, No tears shall he shed No remorse shall gnaw at him
Chorus Our debt registers be abolished Reconcile the entire world! Brothers, over the starry canopy God judges, as we judged.
Joy bubbles in the cup, In the grape’s golden blood Cannibals drink gentleness The fearful, courage -- Brothers, fly from your perches, When the full cup is passed, Let the foam spray to the heavens This glass to the good spirit
Chorus He whom the spirals of stars praise, He whom the seraphim’s hymn glorifies, This glass to the good spirit Above the starry canopy!
Courage firm in great suffering, Help there, where innocence weeps, Eternally sworn oaths, Truth towards friend and foe, Mens’ pride before kings’ thrones -- Brothers, even if it costs property and blood, -- The crowns to those who earn them, Defeat to the lying brood!
Chorus Close the holy circle tighter, Swear by this golden vine: Remain true to the vows, Swear by the judge above the stars!
Escape the tyrants’ chains, Generosity also to the villain, Hope upon the deathbeds, Mercy from the high court! The dead, too, shall live! Brothers, drink and chime in, All sinners shall be forgiven, And hell shall be no more.
Chorus A serene departing hour! Sweet sleep in the shroud! Brothers—a mild sentence From the final judge!
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Post by windtimber on Dec 14, 2007 17:41:43 GMT
Antoninus9 - THANKS for the excellent lyrics, slightly different than translations I've seen in the past and better to my taste. The 9th Symphony has long been a personal favorite and the 4th movement particularly uplifting. Add the fact that Beethoven was stone-deaf when he wrote the thing it really is an awe inspiring piece of work. As I recall the liner notes from the Reiner/Chicago Symphony recording report that upon the premier of the work Beethoven conducted and at the conclusion did not realize the tumultuous response of the audience - until he was turned around by the concertmaster and could see the crowd on its feet. Amazing...such a gift...
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