National Youth Choir marked 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony at the BBC Proms alongside Aurora Orchestra and the BBC Singers

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of this extraordinary piece, we took to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall as part of Aurora Orchestra's signature memorised performance. This masterpiece was composed in the midst of Beethoven’s hearing loss, illness and personal tragedy.

In a Prom like no other, the performers dissect and analyse the work, revealing its secrets and demystifying its majesty, before performing it entirely from memory. Keep your eyes peeled for the entrance of the singers during the final movement, where they arranged themselves around (and sometimes within!) the orchestra to sing the 'Ode to Joy' from memory with elements of BSL included in their performance.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ~ The Times

“…as they sang Schiller's Ode to Joy, the movement thrummed with life… As an explosion of joy and expression of humanity, it couldn't be bettered.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ~ The Guardian

“…Joy – that’s what the last movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is really about... the Ode to Joy thrillingly sung by the BBC Singers and the 100-plus young adults of the National Youth Choir, had that as its overriding takeaway”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ~ Arts Desk

“The whole practice of performing from memory does bring about a particular kind of communication and buzz on the stage”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ~ A Young(ish) Perspective

“… the choral singing from the BBC Singers, National Youth Choir of “Ode of Joy’ was astonishing. Everything about this performance was a faultless masterpiece which reeked of fluidity and passion.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ~ Susan Elkin

“I cannot recall ever hearing Schiller’s words sung so clearly. And the infectious enthusiasm of the performers and obvious joy in their achievement was shared by the rapturous ovations of a delighted audience.”