Mahler - Symphony No. 8 in Eb

Mahler was an examplary creative genius who synthesized boldly what other composers would never have, and he wrote nine (and a half) symphonies, all of which are testaments to his mastery of musical composition. Amongst his peak was his symphony no. 8, which was probably amongst his proudest achievements. Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians said, "The first performance of the work took place at Munich on 12 Sept. 1910, Mahler himself conduicting. Its reception, which was overwhelming, was the first unqualified success that he had ever enjoyed. Eight months later he was dead." Mahler's massive, complex 8th symphony has been a crowning achievement of his musical career. It incorporates with it in its first part a medieval latin hymn, "Veni, Creator Spiritus" and in its second part, the Final part to Goethe's Faust. Mahler's work is scored for 1029 people in total- 171 instrumentalists and 858 vocals. There are 2 mixed SATB choirs, 1 boys' choir, 3 sopranos, 2 altos, 1 tenor, 1 baritone and 1 bass solos.

Veni, Creator Spiritus

Veni, Creator Spiritus
Mentes tuorum visita,
Imple superna gratia,
Quae tu creasti pectora.

Qui diceris Paraclitus,
Altissimi donum Dei,
Fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
Et spiritalis unctio.

Infirma nostri corporis,
Virtute firmans perpeti,
Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus.

Hostem repallas longius
Pacemque dones protinus
Ductore sic te praevio
Vitemus omne pessimum.

Tu septiformis munere
Digitus paternae dexterae.
Tu rite promissum Patris
Sermone ditans guttura.

Per te sciamus da Patrem,
Noscamus atque Filium,
Te utriusque spiritum
Credamus omni tempore.

Da gaudiorum praemia.
Da gratiarum munera.
Dissolve litis vincula,
Adstringe pacis foedera.

Glora Patri Domino,
Natoque, qui a mortuis,
Surrexit, ac Paraclito
In saeculorum saecula.

Beethoven- Symphony No. 9 in D

Beethoven was another example of creative genius. His symphony no. 9, commonly known as chorale, is probably one of the very few symphonies to involve a chorus. Besides piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 1 contrabassoon, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, alto tenor bass trombones, timpani, percs (alot of weird percs), strings, theres still 4 solo voices (SATBar) and a chorus (SATB). wonderful work of art. i shall put the original lyrics only for the ode to joy section. well, dont come and say im not classical when i dun add the rest of the lyrics in.. i juz ain got the time to do every single lyric in. lolz.

Freude Schöner Götter funken

Freude schöner Götter funken
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuer trunken,
Himmlische, dein Heligtum.

Deine Zauber binden wieder
Was de Mode streng geteilt
Alle Menschen werden Brüder
Wo dein sanf ter Flügel weilt.

Wem der große Wurf gelungen,
Eines Freundes Freund zu sein,
Wer ein holdes Weib errungen,
Mische seinen Jubel ein!

Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele
Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund! Und
Wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle
Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!

Freude trinken alle Wesen
An den Brüsten der Natur
Alle Guten, alle Bösen
Folgen ihrer Rosen spur

Küsse gab se uns und Reben,
Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod;
Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben,
Und der Cherub steht vor Gott.