An die Freude or an “Ode to Joy” — adopted as the anthem of the European Union and the Council of Europe — was last week performed in Kiswahili for the first time by the 70-year old Dar es Salaam Choral Society to a multinational audience in Dar es Salaam.

The performance was held at the Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel by the Choral Society under by the music director and conductor Hekima Raymond.

Written in the summer of 1785 by German poet, playwright and historian Friedrich Schiller, Ode to Joy in Ludvig van Beethoven’s Symphony 9 comes in four movements, each unique in composition, instrumentation, dynamics and tempo; deploying woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings and a bass drum.

The message is just as important and relevant today to the East African Community as it was for the European Union, as both communities exist for integration. According to Mr Raymond, the message of Ode to Joy is one of tolerance in the face of racial and and cultural differences.

“Culture knows no borders and the message in Ode to Joy is one of bringing people together; that is why the EU adopted it as its anthem. It is for this same message that we performed it,” he said.

Mr Raymond brought together 140 musicians from five nationalities — Tanzanian, Kenyan, and Ugandan, South African and Ethiopian — for the special performance.

The singing was done by Linda Madete, soprano, and Elizabeth Malenga, alto, both Tanzanians. Tenor Kgaugelo Mpyane is South African and Alijah Adongo, a baritone, is Kenyan.

Before the performance, the stage mistress had announced that the objective was to treat the audience to music of the world — bringing Middle Ages Europe to East Africa with a message of hope.

The philosophy of universal brotherhood came out in the fourth movement which is a choral symphony in the real sense. The 24-minute movement, is both instrumental for the melody and the choral. Every word is delivered with a unique movement to convey the emotion and the message it carries with it.

The German Freude was perfectly fused into notes with its Swahili equivalent Shangwe, meaning joy.

The lyrics evoke strong emotions:

Joy, beautiful spark of divinity,
Daughter from Elysium,
We enter, burning with fervour,
heavenly being, your sanctuary!
Your magic brings together
what fashion has sternly divided.
All men shall become brothers,
wherever your gentle wings hover.
Whoever has been lucky enough
to become a friend to a friend,
Whoever has found a beloved wife,
let him join our songs of praise!
Yes, and anyone who can call one soul
his own on this earth!

The translation from the original German version to Swahili was done by 70-year old Elda Makoye.

Ode to Joy is the world’s most sung choral symphony and the most played traditional classical symphony.