Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

»O friends, not these tones! But let us sing more pleasant and more joyful ones.« What motto could be more fitting for the turn of the year than this? Ludwig van Beethoven uses it in his 9th Symphony to lead into Schiller's famous »Ode to Joy«. The musical path leads from darkness to light, from bitter battles to exuberant jubilation, a utopia of world peace and the brotherhood of all people. As every year, this musical celebration of joy will once again be performed at the Vienna Konzerthaus on New Year's Eve. Manfred Honeck, music director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, known for his pioneering interpretations, conducts the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Singakademie. He has consistently outstanding singers at his disposal: Christina Landshamer, Catriona Morison, Maximilian Schmitt and portrait artist Andrè Schuen.