Ode to Joy! Choir of 10,000 performs Beethoven's 9th, end of the year Japanese tradition. Powerful, beautiful!

[betsuni]

The 9th is tremendously popular, played in supermarkets and shops from the 26th on, the sound of New Year's.

The story is that the first 9th Symphony was performed by Germans held at the Bando Prisoner of War camp in Naruto, Tokushima prefecture (southern island of Shikoku), on June 1, 1918 (June 1st now commemorated as Ninth Day in Naruto and there's a museum and reconstructed camp building where you can buy German beer and Ninth Hot Dogs, white sausage on a rye bun).

Osaka-based beverage company Suntory began the 10,000 amateur singers performances in 1983. I couldn't find this December's, but Expo 2025 opened with it in April, Yutaka Sado conducting (starts at 1:50):

Here's a little documentary, Mr. Sado visiting the Bando Prisoner of War camp ruins in Naruto (did not eat hot dog or drink beer as far as we know) and a young first-time participant in the 10,000 choir performance.

[brer cat]

1. Thank you for sharing, betsuni. That is indeed powerful.

[betsuni]

2. You're welcome! I cry every time. What humans can do when united.

[GiqueCee]

3. AND THEY PERFORMED IT IN THE RAIN!

A magnificent performance! I absolutely love this every time I hear it.

[jmbar2]

4. Wow - stunning in so many ways

The visual setting, the sheer logistics, and the quality of the performance. Thanks for sharing.

[betsuni]

6. You're welcome!

[Junipercity]

5. Wow!

Phenomenal!

[Drum]

7. OMG this is fantastic. A FOREVER BOOKMARK!

[Sogo]

8. I really enjoyed this!

Thanks for posting it.

[betsuni]

9. You're welcome!

[LudwigPastorius]

10. I wonder how they did it.

That far of a distance between the orchestra and singers would create a quarter, to a third of a second, delay in the sound.

That may not sound like much...until you actually try to play or sing together.