A Smile for a Saturday (Ode to Joy)
Dear Steady community,
As you well know, it’s been another week of heartbreak. Last Saturday, we shared our first “Smile for a Saturday” and the response was quite positive, so we felt we all might be in need of another one today.
This week’s edition is a video that has racked up so many views over the years, chances are many of you have seen it before. We have. Many times. But it always brings a smile to our faces (and often a tear of joy to our eyes). In a time when we feel so divided, by disease, by politics, by distance, by the gulfs of historical injustice, we must remember the beauty that is possible when we are able to come together.
A symphony orchestra is often used as a metaphor for the emotional power that is possible when many voices join as one. This power, however, is quite literal. There is a raw energy that emerges when disparate musical lines combine in harmony and melody. And that is especially true in the work featured here — Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. If you haven’t seen this unique performance, you’re in for a treat. As the scene unfolds, we can feel the sheer joy crescendo, a joy that comes from being connected to each other, to a place and time, and to the timelessness of music.
— The Steady Team
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Wonderful As each musician came together with all of the various instruments and the different voices began to offer and blend their voices, my very first thought was why can't America as a nation do that also. Why do we not take our diversities blend them together and produce a beautiful, harmonious sound that will be for all people?
If music were played in only major keys without implementing diminished chords or augmenting (expanding) chords it would become boring. If only minor chords were used there would be an eerie or mysterious sound that seems to have no ending. Ahhh, but when both major and minor chords are blended together it offers a fuller and richer sound. The same is true with people. How marvelous it would be if America would once again work at unifying our different and unique sounds/ideas and become an Ode to Joy. A nation that crescendos (grows stronger, fuller) for the betterment of all people.
Thank you Mr. Rather for stirring some thoughts in me just by listening to and watching an Ode to Joy. For me it was a powerful reminder of what can take place when diversities come together
Thank you. I cried like a baby - what a week it’s been and this was just the perfect antidote. It doesn’t take away the tragedy of course, but it gave me a way to release the tears and experience some joy. Ode to Joy indeed. Thank you Dan & Team.