“The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra played one of Beethoven’s best-known works to unsuspecting spectators at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on Wednesday night,” reads a Wednesday (3/18) news item at the CBC website (Canada). “Visitors looked on as members of the orchestra performed ‘Ode to Joy’ from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in the museum’s Garden of Contemplation. WSO conductor Alexander Mickelthwate says he has always wanted to perform in the museum. He added that ‘Ode to Joy’ was selected for the ‘flash mob concert’ because it embodies tolerance and respect for one another—a theme that Mickelthwate said fits what the museum represents. ‘Through brotherly love, coming together, recognizing each other, tolerating, respecting and Beethoven was the only one who really put this into music,’ he said.” The post links to a video of the performance.
Posted March 20, 2015
