Music

I seldom listen to music: generally it is imposed on me by others. But sometimes I browse some on YouTube, and I do have some childhood favorites from when I listened to records while home sick.

Ode to Joy

Now the anthem of the European Union.

I don't know why I love this one so much: it is metronomic, and I can't understand the original lyrics in German. Perhaps just as well: the lyrics are elliptical, allegorical, romantic, metaphorical, and not nearly sensible enough to satisfy me. But the triumphant harmonies, changes in pace and variability of the music meets some aesthetic of mine and leave me thrilled. And I'm not alone.  :-)

Lately I've noticed a large number of riffs on this music. Here are a few that I love.

Ode to Joy with lyrics in German and English

An original long version in German.

Ode To Joy | Muppet Music Video | The Muppets

I've always had a fondness for the Muppets.

Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) European Anthem - 'Beethoven's 9th Symphony'

He accidentally loses the lyrics and has to ad lib.

Beethoven Chased by Rossini · Garrison Keillor and Frederica Von Stade

Beethoven's Ode to Joy brilliantly layered on top of Rossini's William Tell Overture; the story of an old cat disturbed by a dog. From Songs of the Cat.

Pete Seeger: Ode to Joy

Banjo solo with new lyrics by Don West. Much better than the original lyrics.

Build the road of peace before us,
build it wide and deep and long.
Speed the slow, remind the eager,
help the weak, and guide the strong.
None shall push aside another,
none shall let another fall.
Work beside me sisters and brothers,
all for one and one for all.

Flashmob Flash Mob - Ode an die Freude ( Ode to Joy ) Beethoven Symphony No.9 classical music

Unbelievably beautiful. Including the audience reaction.

Clockwork Orange (1971): Aversion Therapy

One of Kubrik's greatest films, shocking and hard to watch, yet essential to learning cynicism properly.

Mr. Sandman

The Original, by the Chordettes.

Amazing harmony.

Mr. Biden, Bring My Vaccine.

One of Randy Rainbow's finest works. Hysterically funny.

CRISPR-Cas9 ("Mr. Sandman" Parody), A Capella Science

One of the most amazing solo a capella performances ever, with spot-on science and significant variation of the repetitions in the original music to add drama.

La Marseillaise

La Marseillaise, sung by Mireille Mathieu. American English subtitles.

The French national anthem; very stirring and a bit bloodthirsty.

Yodeling

The closest I have to ancestral music: my father was Austrian. Though he was raised in Vienna and only spent summers in the countryside.

Franzl Lang - Happy Yodeling (25mins long mix)

Give it a try. Some of the most amazing yodeling ever.

Gilbert and Sullivan

'Nuff said.

I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General

From The Pirates of Penzance".

I'm the Monarch of the Sea

When I Was a Lad

From HMS Pinafore.

A More Humane Mikado Never in Japan Exist (My Object All Sublime.)

From The Mikado.

Nightmare Song

From Iolanthe.

Humorous Songs

Daffy's Rhapsody

Based on Hungarian Rhapsody.

National Lampoon - Deteriorata

A fitting mockery of the pompous and vapid Desiderata.

Dr. Demento Theme

Unbelievably cool.

Galaxy Song

From Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.