‘Ode to Joy’ in Pop Culture
The enduring popularity of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is due in part to its famous “Ode to Joy” chorus. Hollywood has used this joyful tune in countless movies, television shows and commercials.
Here’s a list of five times Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony has appeared in popular culture:
Die Hard
The 1988 action hit sees NYPD officer John McClane, played by Bruce Willis, take on terrorist in an office building in downtown Los Angeles. In this scene, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” is used ironically as the terrorist are successful in breaking into the building’s vault.
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
Whoopi Goldberg returned as Vegas-showgirl-turned-nun Sister Mary Clarence in the sequel to the 1992 comedy. This time, Mary Clarence is teaches music to a group of students at an inner-city Catholic school. The film concludes with a choir competition; the group’s rendition of “Joyful, Joyful” is set to the tune of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Wii Commercial
Nintendo used Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in a television commercial for their video game WiiMusic. Players used the controllers to play varying versions of the classic piece.
Dead Poets Society
The 1989 drama stars Robin Williams as an English teacher at an all-boys school in 1950s New England. Williams’ character tries to teach his students to appreciate poetry. In this scene, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is used to emphasize the joy the students have as they play soccer and the bond they now share with their teacher.
The Muppets
Last but not least! The Muppets character Beaker gives a hysterical performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, taking on multiple part that start spiral out of control.
Hear the NJSO perform this iconic work to open its 2018–19 season, October 5–7 in Newark and New Brunswick.
Zhang Conducts Beethoven 9
2018–19 Season
- XIAN ZHANG conductor (pictured)
- MARY ELIZABETH WILLIAMS soprano
- ELIZABETH BISHOP mezzo-soprano
- LORENZO DECARO tenor
- REGINALD D. SMITH JR. baritone
- MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY SINGERS
- MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE
- NEWARK VOICES
- Heather J. Buchanan, conductor
- NEW JERSEY YOUTH CHORUSES Trish Joyce, artistic director
- NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
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KATE WHITLEY Speak Out (US Premiere)
Stirring and poignant; rising British composer Kate Whitley’s work is based on Malala Yousafzai’s legendary speech to the United Nations advocating the right of every girl to have an education.
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WALKER Lyric for Strings
We perform this celebrated work in memory of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning composer George Walker—a Montclair resident and friend of the NJSO.
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BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9, “Choral”
An unmistakable masterpiece; the hymn’s text extolling the human bond is sung by a joyful assembly, a massed choir including singers from MSU and our surrounding communities.