Listening example: Beethoven Ode to Joy, from Symphony No. 9, IV

 

The concept of listening to a single piece of music over and over again for half an hour straight to most is repulsive; unless you’re going through one of those “I only listen to this song on repeat for the next three weeks” phases. But then it’s typically because you enjoy the song, and believe me, you will get bored of listening to it every day despite what you may think. The first few plays were pretty normal, I knew the basic main melody but not much else. Most of the piece after the beginning was just a modulated mess. However, the third or fourth time through the piece I found myself seeking out different things in the piece. How the voices contrast with each other and how they work together with the symphony was more and more intriguing to me. However, despite my music major brain forcing me to pick out every little interesting thing I could possibly find, I naturally, after about the fifth or sixth play through, found myself getting a little tired and almost annoyed by the piece. From this day forward I do believe the opening Ode to Joy chorus will haunt me for the rest of my life.Â