Unveiling the Maestro’s Masterpiece: Beethoven’s Handwritten Letter Revealed in Exclusive ‘Ode to Joy’ Exhibition

The “Beethoven and Ode to Joy” exhibition commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Vienna premiere of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 “With Chorus” will be held at our university’s Central Education Building on Friday, November 1st. It opened with

In this exhibition, we present a full translation of Ludwig van Beethoven’s handwritten letter (September 1815, addressed to Brauchle), which is in our university’s collection. This letter was written at the same time as the famous “Through Anguish to Joy” (to Countess Eldeddi, the same year).

At the same time, we will present a new perspective on the actual image of the Ninth Symphony as the fruit of his life, while depicting the path of the composer in three dimensions, such as the handwritten reprint of No. 5 “Destiny” held by the Min-On Music Museum. to highlight it. In addition, through valuable materials such as the handwritten letters of Schiller, the lyricist of “Ode to Joy,” and the handwritten letters of the philosopher Kant, which are owned by the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, we will explore the “times and people that had a great influence on the development of young Beethoven as a person.” follow.

During the struggles of his youth just after the end of the war, the founder of our university, Professor Daisaku Ikeda, often read up on famous books that discussed Beethoven and inspired himself by listening to his music until the records wore out. He left behind many essays and speeches on the theme of Beethoven. “The value of life is born only through toil and mission.” Introducing the history of the “9th” concert at our university, which was held at the suggestion of the founder, and what the founder learned from the composer’s turbulent life and his works, and what he tried to pass on to future generations. , we approach the “resonating souls”.

At the opening ceremony held on the same day, President Masashi Suzuki gave an address, followed by Professor Takao Ito of the Faculty of Letters, who introduced congratulatory voices from various fields. Rainer Küchl, former concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic, said in a message: “It is always a pleasure to gain new insights into a genius like Beethoven.” Referring to the relationship between the founder and Beethoven, Chairman Yasunori Tashiro said, “I hope that everyone viewing this exhibition will learn a lot from Beethoven’s great life and feel hope for tomorrow.” I sincerely hope that.” Next, pianist Daiki Kato, part-time lecturer at the Faculty of Education, performed Piano Sonata No. 8, “Pathétique” and “Ode to Joy,” which received thunderous applause. After the tape cutting, a digest of the founder’s speech, “Pass through suffering and reach joy!” was shown, and Professor Takao Ito, who supervised the exhibition, explained the exhibits.

The outline of the exhibition is as follows.

■Event overviewBeethoven and “Ode to Joy” Exhibition Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the First Performance of “The Ninth”

・Date: November 1st (Friday) – December 27th (Friday) 9:00 – 18:00, 2024

・Venue: Entrance hall, 1st floor, Central Education Building, Soka University (Hachioji City, Tokyo)

*Free admission, anyone can watch.

・Sponsor: Soka University

・Cooperation: Tokyo Fuji Art Museum/Min-On Music Museum

・Support: German Embassy in Japan, Hachioji City Board of Education

■Main exhibits

・“Beethoven’s Handwritten Letter” September 1815 (Rare Material of this University)

・Reprint version of Beethoven’s autograph score (Piano Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight”, Symphony No. 3 “Hero”, No. 5 “Fate”, No. 9 “With Chorus”)

・Schiller edited magazine “Thalia” 1787-91 First edition (first publication of “On Joy”)

・Handwritten letters from figures closely connected to the Rakusei, such as Kant, Schiller, Goethe, and Napoleon.

・”Miscellaneous notes” of the founder’s youth, circa 1947 (reference to “Beethoven” by Rolland), “Study of Beethoven” signed by Rolland, etc.

■Exhibition composition

・1st Movement “Age of Revolution” Beethoven’s Life ① 1770-1792

・2nd Movement “The Road to the Master” Beethoven’s Life ②1793-1815

・3rd movement “Ninth Symphony” Beethoven’s Life ③ 1816-1827

・4th movement “Founder Daisaku Ikeda and Beethoven”

[Contact]Daisaku Ikeda Memorial Soka Education Research Institute KIZOU-sokyoken@soka.ac.jp

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