A distant family member died this past week and I attended his funeral this morning. It is sad. Yet it is good at the same time, knowing he had had health issues for years. Given the large attendance, he will certainly be missed by family and friends.
At the end of the ceremony a hymn, "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" (words written by Henry van Dyke in 1907) was sung sounding much like this with the organ, and I thought it a fit ending to such a ceremony:
It reminded me of the original words by Friedrich Schiller (in 1785) and music composed by Beethoven as the fourth and final movement of his Ninth Symphony (finished in 1824), and thus, the song of the day it is.
To hear the movement from the start, as performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein, here you go:
Song Recommendations
If you like this song, I also suggest:
I also suggest the music genre:
Click here for more info on Beethoven – Ninth Symphony – "Ode to Joy".
The CDs of Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performing all 9 of Beethoven's Symphonies may be purchased here… Beethoven 9 Symphonies - Leonard Bernstein 
