Happy Musical New Year

[PeterRS]

In Japan during December and to celebrate the upcoming year, virtually every orchestra gives performances of Beethoven’s famous Ninth Symphony with its “Ode to Joy.” So on this first day of 2026 it is appropriate to play just a small part of it. But this is a special performance that was created by one of Europe’s most influential choreographers Maurice Bejart who happened to have been born exactly 99 years ago today.

Bejart decided the Symphony is so universal with its themes of brotherhood and unity it should include dance as an essential visual element to add to the symphony orchestra, four soloists and large chorus. So he created a version to be performed in the round having added 90 dancers that was first performed in Belgium in 1964. Bejart called his “a Ninth Symphony for the 20th century.” The packed audience gave it 16 minutes of applause.

Since a performance requires around 300 artists in total and a very large stage, Bejart’s version has only rarely been performed. In 2014 to mark the 50th anniversary of its creation, it was given a unique performance in Tokyo. It was unique in the sense that it involved not just Bejart’s company which is now based in Lausanne. Never before had it co-operated with another dance company. For this performance which took almost three years of preparation, consultation and finally rehearsals, the Tokyo Ballet company (with its fabulous looking male dancers!!) was integrated fully into the performance. That company also just happened to be celebrating its 50th anniversary that year. 

This is just a short three-minute excerpt from the start of the second movement with dancers from the Bejart Ballet – yes, the gorgeous Japanese male soloist is part of that company, not the Tokyo Ballet. To me, it is extraordinary not only that Beethoven was deaf when he composed the symphony but how in his dramatic interpretation Bejart has captured the humanity of  Beethoven’s masterpiece. You can just make out Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra raised behind the dance floor.

For those interested, the full performance with a prologue can be seen here. The Symphony proper starts at 8’00” and the boys and girls of the Tokyo Ballet are featured in the first and last movements. Just click on the youtube link.