Overture
Original Off-Broadway Cast Lyrics
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The city of Vienna is experiencing the largest lightning storm in its long history.
Within a large disheveled room,
Ludwig Von Beethoven is slumped over his piano
And on the piano sits the just completed manuscript for his tenth symphony.
It is his final, and he is certain, his greatest work.]
Since the time when ra and isis
And apollo dreamed athena
And men began to understand
That when darkness folds on darkness
In the restless tides of night
And lightning raises shadows
And for moments gives them life
It's been said by those who ponder
That it surely is a sign
That a life touched by the stars
Is now running out of time
And that somewhere in that darkness
In the heart of that great storm
The world returns a soul
That the gods caused to be born
And this was such a storm
The kind one rarely sees in life
For in a room now filled with shadows
The great Beethoven was spending
His last night
[From the shadows a beautiful spirit, fate,
And her deformed dwarf son, twist,
Emerge to inform Beethoven of what he has already deeply suspected,
That this is to be his last night on earth.
They are accompanied by numerous spirits and ghosts from his past.]
The lyrics to the Overture from the Original Off-Broadway Cast's musical tell the story of a significant moment in the life of Ludwig Von Beethoven. Set in Vienna in 1827, during a massive lightning storm, Beethoven is shown slumped over his piano with the manuscript for his tenth symphony in front of him, convinced that it is his greatest work. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the stormy night, with references to ancient mythology and the belief that lightning storms are a sign of impending death.
As the shadows in the room deepen, two supernatural beings emerge - Fate and her deformed son, Twist. They inform Beethoven of what he already suspects, that this will be his last night on earth. The spirits and ghosts from his past also appear, lending a haunting and poignant quality to the scene. The lyrics are filled with symbolism that adds to the intensity of the moment, capturing the powerful emotions that Beethoven may have felt at the time.
Overall, the Overture in the Original Off-Broadway Cast's musical is a powerful and emotional retelling of a significant moment in Ludwig Von Beethoven's life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the stormy night and are filled with symbolism and mythology that add to the intensity of the moment. The appearance of supernatural beings and ghosts from his past all add to the emotional weight of this scene, making it a powerful opening to the musical.
Line by Line Meaning
On a late night in the spring of 1827
During a night in late spring of the year 1827
The city of Vienna is experiencing the largest lightning storm in its long history.
Vienna is witnessing the biggest thunderstorm ever witnessed in its prolonged existence.
Within a large disheveled room,
Inside a significantly unorganized space,
Ludwig Von Beethoven is slumped over his piano
Ludwig is sitting slumped over his piano
And on the piano sits the just completed manuscript for his tenth symphony.
On top of the piano lies the newly finished script for Ludwig's tenth symphony.
It is his final, and he is certain, his greatest work.
This is the last composition, and without a doubt, he feels that it's his finest work.
From the shadows a beautiful spirit, fate,
From the darkness, a stunning entity, destiny,
And her deformed dwarf son, twist,
And her twisted, malformed dwarf son, twist,
Emerge to inform Beethoven of what he has already deeply suspected,
Appear in front of Beethoven to tell him what he had suspected before,
That this is to be his last night on earth.
That this is going to be his final night on this planet.
They are accompanied by numerous spirits and ghosts from his past.
Countless spirits and apparitions from Ludwig's history are accompanying them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY HOROWITZ, ROBIN MILLER, LEO ROST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind