Joyful Joyful (Ode to Joy) for Easter?

[Enviroguy]

Yep,

The music director wanted the orchestra to play after the Easter Cantata Sunday while they are taking up the offering.

So I went home and did a new arrangement of "He Lives". But Sunday night, my orchestra members just couldn't get the hang of it.

So I needed something else fast that is easy to play but still fits the Easter service. Then I thought of "Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee". That's the church version of Ode to Joy by Beethoven. And tonight after Wednesday night bible study, we are having an emergency orchestra practice session to get it down cold. I mean, most of the parts are all quarter notes accept for nine well-placed eight notes. What's not to love? Plus I wrote a fanfare that I may decide to play on sop over the top of everyone else while playing it the last time through.

But my wife doesn't think it's an Easter tune. I then reminded her that Ode to Joy was in both the opening and ending medleys in our cantata. So she relented.

So, is this fitting for Easter or not? I know it works for both Christmas and the movie, Die Hard. What do you think?

[Tony5175]

I think it has a very joyful, Easter-ish type sound.

[gary]

So, is this fitting for Easter or not? I know it works for both Christmas and the movie, Die Hard. What do you think?

Are you kidding me!?

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing (sometimes chanting) bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o'er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.