For almost three decades, Beethoven had been drawn to the 1790 Masonic-tinged poem “Opferlied” (Sacrificial Hymn) by Friedrich von Matthisson. Here are the two stanzas as translated by Paul Reid in The Beethoven Song Companion:
The flame leaps up, a gentle glow
Shines through the dark oak grove,
And aromas of incense waft through the air.
O bend your gracious ear to me
And let the young man’s sacrifice
Be well-pleasing to you, o highest one!
Be ever freedom’s shield and defence!
May your life-giving spirit breathe gently
Through air, earth, fire and water!
Grant to me, in youth as in age,
At your paternal hearth, O Zeus,
Beauty allied to goodness!
Four distinct Beethoven settings of “Opferlied” exist:
- A sketched song from 1794–95, catalogued as Hess 145
- A completed song from late 1798, catalogued as WoO 126 (Day 112)
- A choral version from 1822 for 3 solo voices, choir, 2 clarinets, horn, violas, and cellos
- A choral version from late 1824 published as Opus 122b for soprano solo, choir and orchestra
The scores of both choral versions are available on this page on the IMSLP site.
In addition to setting “Opferlied” as a song with piano accompaniment, and in choral and orchestral versions, Beethoven used the last line of the poem for two canons: WoO 202 (Day 335) and (coming up in four days) WoO 203 (Day 344).
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“Opferlied” for Voices and Chamber Orchestra (Opus 121b, v.1), 1822
You might encounter ads at the beginning and end of this studio recording of the 1822 version
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“Opferlied” for Voices and Chamber Orchestra (Opus 121b, v.2), 1824
A studio recording of the 1824 version.
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“Opferlied” for Voices and Chamber Orchestra (Opus 121b, v.2), 1824
The 1824 version performed remotely with a reduced orchestra by the San Jose Symphonic Choir and the Cal Arte Chamber Orchestra. English subtitles.