European anthem
200 years of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”: Do you recognize these incredible versions?
Even Ludwig van Beethoven would have been amazed at what others made of his “Ode to Joy”.
© AI generated illustration
Today celebrates the birthday of one of the most famous melodies in the world – Beethoven’s Ninth. Hardly anyone who couldn’t hum along to them. But try these five totally crazy variations…
“Joy, beautiful spark of the gods, daughter of Elysium…” 200 years ago today in Vienna Ludwig van Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in D minor op. 125 premiered, and in the fourth movement he set Friedrich Schiller’s ode “To Joy”, also known as the European Anthem. The greatest musicians have recorded their own versions of this venerable piece – and some not so great. They play it on dirty dishes, make music with bizarre wooden dolls, forget the lyrics. We’re celebrating the 200th anniversary of the “Ode to Joy” with the most insane versions from the internet. Happy Birthday!
Beethoven’s Ninth in five crazy variations
Ode to German
British comedian Rowan Atkinson, better known as Mr. Bean, isn’t a particularly good singer. However, his lyrical confidence is even more shaky than his voice. “All men become brothers where your gentle wing dwells”? For him it becomes “Lalala, bumbumbum, Baden Baden, Lederhosen, quick, quick, Rummenigge!” The most Teutonic version ever recorded.
Ode to puppetry
It sounds like a mixture of a singing saw, a moped and a ghostly voice. But it looks like a Matryoshka, the brightly painted Russian wooden doll: The Matryomin is an electronic instrument that you play by bringing your hand closer – whereupon it whines in different keys. But the Matryomin Ensemble from Japan goes even further: They have also arranged their bizarre electro version as a pumping “Symphony No. 9 Boogie”. Very, very crazy.
Ode to despair
What else should you expect from John Cale? With his band Velvet Underground and also solo, he has recorded some of the most disturbing pieces in rock music. It’s clear that he turns the “Ode to Joy” on its head: for him it’s called “Damn Life”. Not only does he darken Beethoven’s melody, he also curses life, people, and love. Beautiful, but deep black.
Ode to washing up
Beethoven goes TikTok: There you don’t have to be able to sing or play an instrument to become famous with your own version of the “Ode to Joy”. For this restaurant professional, a stream of water, a kitchen sink and dirty dishes are enough. A version that has been washed.
Ode to Mimimi
Do you know Beaker, the lab assistant from The Muppets Show? The one with the mix between a brushed hairstyle and a carrot on his head? Who always just says “Mimimi”? Where every experiment goes up in smoke and flames? Good. But you probably don’t know what his “Ode to Joy” sounds like – and with what catastrophe it ends. A little tip: It’s not just your ears that are smoking afterwards.