Two Orchestras on Different Sides of the World Perform ‘Ode to Joy’ With Musicians Playing From Home

The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in partnership with Senior Service virtually performed “Ode to Joy” aka Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, with each musician performing in their own home so as to maintain a safe, social distance from one another. Despite the distance, the symphony was performed beautifully and with the best of intentions.

We’re adjusting to a new reality and we’ll have to find solutions in order to support each other. Creative forces help us, let’s think outside of the box and use innovation to keep our connection and make it work, together. Because if we do it together, we’ll succeed.

The Colorado Symphony also virtually performed the same symphony in the same manner as part of their PlayOn series for much the same reasons.

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is an ode to humanity, to peace over desperation, to universal kinship and, of course, to joy. We hope that this small tribute stands as a reminder that community is powerful and together, despite the anxiety and separation, we will come back stronger than before.

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.