Below, My favorite story and the songs told best by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
[On a late night in the spring of 1827 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.]
1. Overture SINCE THE TIME WHEN RA AND ISIS RAISED THE SPHINX OUT OF THE SAND 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.]
2. Midnight
[TWIST]
AND IN THE DARK HE SITS ALONE TO WATCH HIS FINAL HOURS BLEEDING WHILE UNCONCERNED UPON THE WALL THE CLOCK IT TICKS AWAY THE TIME
NO NEED FOR WORDS FOR IN THE DARK ALL WORDS HAVE LONG SINCE LOST THEIR MEANING STILL WHEN THEY WHISPER IN HIS EAR HE TRIES TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES
WHAT I SEE IN THE NIGHT WHAT I FEEL IN YOUR HEART ALL YOUR DREAMS ALL YOUR LIES CAN YOU TELL THEM APART
SEE THE HANDS ON THE CLOCK ARE YOU WATCHING THEM TURN FOR YOUR CANDLE IS QUITE LOW WE'VE BEEN WATCHING IT BURN
DO YOU LIE HERE AWAKE AS THE SHADOWS LOOK ON SHOULD THEY CRY FOR YOUR SAKE SHOULD YOU SLEEP IN THEIR ARMS
FOR THE SHADOWS SEE ALL AND THEY RARELY FORGET EVERY DREAM THAT YOU'VE HAD EVERY ACT YOU REGRET
3. Fate
[GHOSTS & SPIRITS]
FAITH AND BELIEF AND RETREAT WHEN YOU'RE STANDING ALL ALONE WITH YOUR DREAMS IN THE DARK
NEVER KNOWING WHAT IS REAL IN THE SHADOWS YOU MEET NEVER KNOWING WHAT IS TRUE IN THE ANSWERS YOU SEEK NEVER KNOWING IF
FATE SHE HEARS ME FATE STAND NEAR ME FATE STATE CLEARLY WHETHER THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CARD
RETRIEVE US TIME DECEIVES US FAITH SHE HEARS US BUT SHE DOESN'T LISTEN VERY HARD
AS SHE DRIFTS THROUGH OUR LIVES TOSSING COINS INTO THE AIR WATCH THEM TWIST WATCH THEM FALL TURNING HOPE INTO DESPAIR
WATCH THEM TWIST WATCH THEM FALL THEN SHE SUDDENLY REVIVES EVERY DREAM THAT WE'VE HAD AND WE FIND OURSELVES ALIVE
BELIEVE ME FATE STANDS NEAR ME FATE STATE CLEARLY WHETHER THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CARD
RECEIVE US TIME DECEIVES US THE ONLY MOMENT IN OUR LIVES THAT EVER REALLY MATTERED FATE IS NOW
[With each successive crack of lightning the spirits move closer and eventually Beethoven finds their distraction unbearable.]
4. What Good This Deafness
[BEETHOVEN]
WHAT GOOD THIS DEAFNESS THAT MY WHOLE LIFE I HAVE DREAD WHAT GOOD THIS DEAFNESS WITH THESE VOICES IN MY HEAD
WHAT GOOD THIS DEAFNESS IF THIS PRATTLE I MUST HEAR IF I WERE BLIND I'M SURE THEY WOULDN'T DISAPPEAR
[TWIST]
DID YOU REALLY WANT TO BELIEVE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING DID YOU REALLY WANT TO BE HERE ALONE HAVE I INTERRUPTED A MOMENT OF PRAYING WHILE YOUR LIFE'S DECAYING YOUR SINS ARE THEY WEIGHING WHILE YOU'VE BEEN CARVING YOUR STONE ALL ON YOUR OWN
DID YOU REALLY WANT TO SIT HERE IN SILENCE COULD IT BE THAT BROODING IS PART OF YOUR ART IS IT AN EXTENSION OF ARTISTIC LICENSE A MOODY DEFIANCE OF ALL OF LIFE'S TYRANTS WHILE YOU'VE BEEN SEARCHING YOUR HEART ALONE WITH US IN THE DARK
[Beethoven implores the spirits to leave him alone, but Twist tells him that as shadows they only exist by the light that Beethoven's life has cast and as that light is fading, it is only natural that they should cling to its last moments of illumination. As the clock strikes midnight their conversation is suddenly interrupted by the appearance of Mephistopheles. His presence causes all the other spirits to shrink silently back to the corners of the room.]
[Mephistopheles informs Beethoven that he has come to collect the composer's soul. Faced with eternal damnation, the terrified composer claims that it cannot be his time, that he has yet to complete his Tenth Symphony. Mephistopheles looks at the manuscript and then with seemingly uncharacteristic generosity, offers to give him as much additional time as he needs, but only if he will tell him what parts he plans to add or change. Beethoven is forced to admit that it is his masterpiece and he would not change a single note. His bluff called, Beethoven still can not believe that this is how his life must end. Mephistopheles assures him that not only is it so, but his reaction is the nearly universal response from every man who is about to be condemned to hell. But he then tells Beethoven he is a very fortunate man, for he has decided to offer the maestro something very rarely offered to humans at the end of their time, a second chance, a possible way out of his most unfortunate dilemma.]
5. Mephistopheles
[MEPHISTOPHELES]
ALL OF YOUR LIFE NOW YOU HAVE DENIED THERE'D BE A TIME WHEN YOU'D EVER DIE STILL IT'S BEEN RUMORED THIS THING MUST BE
WHY IS IT THEN THAT YOU ACT SURPRISED WHEN I APPEAR NOW TO BE YOUR GUIDE WHY DO YOU HESITATE TO FOLLOW ME
SEE IT RISING STARE AND WONDER HEAR IT BECKON YOU TO DANCE
FEEL IT HOLD YOU TAKE YOU UNDER I'M YOUR GOD OF SECOND CHANCE
AND NOW YOU CLAIM YOU ARE NOT PREPARED SO MUCH TO DO YOU CAN NOT BE SPARED STILL YOUR ENTREATIES DEATH WILL NOT HEAR
THE GRAVEYARD IS FILLED WITH IMPORTANT MEN WHO COULD NOT BE SPARED BUT WERE IN THE END AND SO I WHISPER NOW IN YOUR EAR
SEE IT RISING STARE AND WONDER HEAR IT BECKON YOU TO DANCE
FEEL IT HOLD YOU TAKE YOU UNDER I'M YOUR GOD OF SECOND CHANCE
DOMINE DOMINE DOMINE DOMINE O DOMINE O DOMINE O DOMINE O DOMINE
[The Devil then makes the composer an offer. If Beethoven will give him all his music, allowing Mephistopheles to wipe it from the memory of man, he will return his soul to him. Beethoven is overwhelmed by the situation. Fearing an eternity of damnation and torment he is desperate to reclaim his soul, but the thought of losing his music, his life's work, causes him to hesitate.]
[Mephistopheles, sensing his confusion, offers to leave for one hour before returning for Beethoven's answer. As the devil is turning to go, Beethoven notices that the hands of the clock are now turning faster than is normal. When he points this out to Mephistopheles, the devil replies that the maestro should consider it a final favor because where Beethoven is going, they never turn at all.]
[As the spirits cautiously re-emerge from the corners of the room, Beethoven agonizes over his decision.]
6. What Is Eternal
[BEETHOVEN]
AND HERE IN THE NIGHT AS I FEEL THE INFERNO I STARE IN THE DARK THINKING WHAT IS ETERNAL
THE MAN OR THE MOMENT THE ACT OR THE REASON THESE THOUGHTS FILL MY HEAD AS I CONTEMPLATE TREASON
OF DREAMS I HAVE HAD AND DREAMS I HAVE PONDERED WHEN LATE IN THE NIGHT MY MIND IT WOULD WANDER
TO THINGS I HAVE DONE AND THEN QUICKLY REGRETTED WHILE DENYING VICES MY LIFE HAD SELECTED
AND I THINK WHAT I'VE DONE OR HAVE YET TO BEGIN AND THE MAN I'VE BECOME AND THE MAN THAT I'VE BEEN
NOW CAUGHT IN A WALTZ WITH THE ETERNAL DANCER I'M COURTED BY DEATH BUT DEATH ISN'T THE ANSWER I SAY
ALL I WAS MEANT TO BE COULD I SUDDENLY JUST DECIDE NOT A THOUGHT WOULD SURVIVE COULD IT BE MY LIFE'S WORTH ENDED THERE WITH MY BIRTH
IF I COULD SEE SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN THERE BEFORE ME AND TRADED HIS SOUL FOR A MOMENT OF GLORY
HIS PENANCE OR MERCY BY SPIRITS DEBATED WHILE JUDGED ON A SCALE THAT'S BEEN HEAVILY WEIGHTED
AND WHAT HAVE I DONE COULD THERE BE SUCH A SIN IN THIS MAN I'VE BECOME IN THIS MAN THAT I'VE BEEN
NOW CALLING TO GOD FROM THE PIT'S VERY BOTTOM I PRAY HE FORGIVES EVERY SIN I'VE FORGOTTEN THIS DAY
AND WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT MY FATE IT WOULD CONJURE THIS TWIST IN THE ROAD ON WHICH I HAVE WANDERED
EACH VISION AND DREAM NOW COMPLETELY DISMEMBERED TO GIVE ONE'S WHOLE LIFE AND FIND NOTHING'S REMEMBERED
AND WHAT GOOD IS A LIFE THAT LEAVES NOTHING BEHIND NOT A THOUGHT OR A DREAM THAT MIGHT ECHO IN TIME
THE YEARS AND THE HOURS THE SECONDS AND MINUTES AND EVERYTHING THAT MY LIFE HAS PLACED IN IT BETRAYED BETRAYED BETRAYED
THE THINGS I HAVE DONE THE PLACES I'VE BEEN THE COST OF MY DREAMS THE WEIGHT OF MY SINS
AND EVERYTHING THAT I'VE GATHERED IN LIFE COULD IT BE LOST COULD IT BE LOST IN THIS COULD IT BE LOST IN THIS NIGHT
[Crushed by the dilemma he finds himself in and unable to reach a decision, Beethoven tries to recall the particular actions in his life that have led to his damnation. In anger, he confronts Fate for having dealt him such a cruel hand in life. Taken a back by his accusations, she offers to review his life with him and to change anything that he wishes to change.]
[Delighted with this unexpected proposition, Beethoven accepts. When she asks where he would like to start, Beethoven says the first thing he would change is his childhood. Fate takes him back through time where he finds himself as a young child sitting at a piano. He has just been cruelly slapped by a tutor for having failed to receive an appointment to the emperor's court. His tutor is trying to create a new child wonder, similar to Mozart, but unlike Mozart, Beethoven is an awkward and gangly youth. Now, sitting alone at the piano, he is trying to console himself by playing a melody that he finds soothing. Beethoven recognizes the melody as the future Sixth Symphony and sitting down next to the child completes the tune. The child smiles at this kindly adult and after they talk for awhile, asks if they might meet again and finish the song. Beethoven reassures the child that one day that just might possibly happen.]
7. The Moment
[BEETHOVEN]
IN THIS WORLD OF CIRCUMSTANCE CHILDREN NEVER FEAR FOREVER AND THIS MOMENT THAT ENCHANTS SOMEDAY WE MAY BOTH REMEMBER
THEN MAYBE THEN IF WE ARE STILL ALIVE THEN MAYBE THEN THIS MOMENT WILL SURVIVE
THERE IS TIME IN EVERY WORD THERE ARE WORDS IN EVERY REASON AND THESE NOTES THAT ARE UNHEARD ONE DAY THEY MAY FIND THEIR SEASON
THEN MAYBE THEN IF WE ARE STILL ALIVE THEN MAYBE THEN THIS MOMENT WILL SURVIVE
THEN MAYBE THEN IF WE ARE STILL ALIVE THEN MAYBE THEN THIS MOMENT WILL SURVIVE
[Beethoven turns to Fate and tells her, "I did not need this childhood. I did not need my mother to die when I was five. I did not need an alcoholic father or this sadistic teacher. I did not need such pain as a child. This! Remove all of this from my life."]
[Fate tells him that it will all be as he wishes but before she grants his request he should be aware that when she removes the pains of his childhood he will also lose the inspiration that led to the Sixth Symphony. When faced with this choice, Beethoven realizes that he is not willing to lose the Sixth Symphony and withdraws his request.]
[Fate then says, "Surely there were happy times, magical moments?"]
[Beethoven replies, "There were some."]
["Like the first time you arrived in Vienna?"]
["Like the first time I arrived in Vienna."]
[Within seconds they are there witnessing a rhapsodizing Beethoven as a young man seeing Vienna for the first time.]
8. Vienna
[YOUNG BEETHOVEN]
SINCE I WAS A CHILD I'VE SEEN HER IN A DREAM A CAPTURED FAIRY TALE THAT ECHOES CROSS MY LIFE
AND THOUGH I'VE COURTED HER SHE'S ALWAYS STAYED UNSEEN NOW ALL AT ONCE SHE GLITTERS IN THE NIGHT
BUT THAT WAS YESTERDAY AND THAT ALL WAS BEFORE WHEN SHE WAS FAR AWAY A SILHOUETTE OF DREAMS
BUT OTHERS WHISPERED THAT SHE WAS SO MUCH MORE AND SUDDENLY I NOW KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN
DREAMS CHANGE YEARS STRAIN LOST ILLUSIONS LAST STANDS GOD'S HAND ABSOLUTION FOUND
FAIRY TALE SINS VISIONS BY GRIMM ALL FORGIVEN LIVES SPENT IN VAIN NEVER RECLAIMED TAKE THEIR FINAL BOWS
PICTURES AND WORDS VISIONS ABSURD MADDENED POETS ALL WITHIN SIGHT FAILURES IN LIFE WHO'LL NEVER KNOW IT LAZARUS CRIES THERE IN HIS EYES HOPE HAS RISEN DEPTH AND FACADE ALL BEFORE ME NOW
[Together Fate and Beethoven watch the composer as a young man meeting his greatest idol, Mozart.]
9. Mozart
[Instrumental]
[Fate then reminds him of Theresa, his first and greatest love. Together they witness the young couple's first night together. Young Beethoven is already being called the greatest piano player who has ever lived and Theresa is a Princess in the Hapsburg Empire. They are both deeply in love.]
10. The Dreams of Candlelight
[THERESA]
COULD THIS NIGHT IT LAST FOREVER EVERY MOMENT HELD TOGETHER AS IF IN A PERFECT TRANCE AND SUCH A THING COULD BE
NO ONE ELSE WOULD UNDERSTAND IT WE WOULD KNOW THE GODS HAD PLANNED IT AND FOR SUCH A NIGHT AS THIS THAT THEY GAVE MEMORY
AND WE WOULD LIVE INSIDE THIS NIGHT WITHIN THE DREAMS OF CANDLELIGHT IF YOU WOULD BRING THIS WISH TO LIFE AND SPEND THIS NIGHT WITH ME
COULD THIS MOMENT LAST FOREVER AND THIS DREAM OUR ONE ENDEAVOR IF THE STARS WOULD JUST ENCHANT AND TIME WOULD THEN AGREE
EVERY MOMENT OF TOMORROW FROM THIS EVENING WE WOULD BORROW IF THIS WISH THE STARS WOULD GRANT AND GENTLY OVERSEE
AND WE WOULD LIVE INSIDE THIS NIGHT WITHIN THE DREAMS OF CANDLELIGHT IF YOU WOULD BRING THIS WISH TO LIFE AND SPEND THIS NIGHT WITH ME
[Beethoven tells Fate that this was the happiest moment of his life. When she asks why did it have to end he replies, "Because it had to."]
[Fate again inquires, "Why?"]
["No woman wants to spend her life with a deaf musician, let alone a lady of such high station and beauty."]
[Fate takes them to Beethoven's parlor in 1801. There they see the composer slumped over the piano. He is going deaf and he realizes that it is irreversible. As far as he is concerned, his life is over.]
11. Requiem (The Filth)
VOCA ME BENEDICTUM ! SANA MEAM ANIMAM !
VOCA ME BENEDICTUM ! SANA MEAM ANIMAM !
[Beethoven believes that if Theresa were to have discovered that he was becoming deaf she would most certainly have left him. Before this could happen, he ended their relationship refusing to ever see her again.]
[Fate takes him outside of his town house where Theresa is watching him through the window. She can see him slumped over the piano. She does not understand why he has driven her out of his life. She knows that something is terribly wrong but has no idea what it is. Nothing that he could tell her would affect her love for him, but Beethoven cannot believe this.]
12. I'll Keep Your Secrets
[THERESA]
LOST IN YOUR DARK I SEE YOU THERE WHAT DO YOU SEE BEYOND YOUR STARE AND YOU BELIEVE THAT NO ONE ELSE CAN KNOW
WHAT IS THIS THING YOU KEEP INSIDE OUT OF THE LIGHT AND WRAPPED IN PRIDE ALWAYS AFRAID THAT ONE DAY IT WILL SHOW
I'LL KEEP YOUR SECRETS I'LL HOLD YOUR GROUND AND WHEN THE DARKNESS STARTS TO FALL I'LL BE AROUND THERE WAITING WHEN DREAMS ARE FADING AND FRIENDS ARE DISTANT AND FEW
KNOW AT THAT MOMENT I'LL BE THERE WITH YOU WHAT ARE THESE VOICES THAT YOU HEAR ARE THEY TOO FAR OR FAR TOO NEAR WHAT ARE THESE THINGS THAT ECHO FROM THE PAST
WHO ARE THESE GHOSTS YOU SEE AT NIGHT THERE IN THE SHADOWS OF YOUR LIFE THEY ONLY LIVE BY THE LIGHT YOU CAST
I'LL KEEP YOUR SECRETS I'LL HOLD YOUR GROUND AND WHEN THE DARKNESS STARTS TO FALL I'LL BE AROUND THERE WAITING WHEN DREAMS ARE FADING AND FRIENDS ARE DISTANT AND FEW
KNOW AT THAT MOMENT I'LL BE THERE WITH YOU
I'LL BE AROUND WHEN THERE'S NO REASON LEFT TO CARRY ON AND EVERY DREAM YOU'VE EVER HAD IS GONE AND THE DARK IS DEEP AND BLACK WITHOUT A SOUND AND EVERY STAR HAS BEEN DRAGGED TO THE GROUND KNOW AT THAT MOMENT I WILL BE AROUND KNOW AT THAT MOMENT I WILL BE AROUND
[Beethoven says to Fate that it is now clear to him that it was his deafness that was the cause of all his unhappiness. "Remove this infirmity and my whole life will turn out right. If I had not gone deaf I would still have been able to perform live and Theresa and I would have had a life together."]
[Fate assures him that it can be done but once again feels she must warn him of the consequences. She points out that before his deafness his career was more concentrated on live performance than on composing. The Muses of music had always been speaking to him but it was only after he became deaf that he could clearly hear their voices. "Your live performances were brilliant but they lasted but a moment, while your compositions will echo forever."]
[She then shows Beethoven himself slipping deeper and deeper into his pit of total silence, but all the while the Muses continue to whisper in his ear.]
13. Dark
[THE MUSES]
FEEL THE DARKNESS SMILING EVERY NOTE IS DYING SILENCE IS REFINING EVERY THOUGHT IN HIS HEART
STILL THE FATES ARE WEAVING EVERY NOTE THAT'S BLEEDING AS HE SITS THERE SEETHING ALL ALONE IN THE DARK ALONE IN THE DARK ALONE IN THE ...
BUT IN THE NIGHT THE DARKNESS BREATHES IF HE WILLS IT TO BE
BEFORE HIS EYES THE MUSIC DIES BUT HE WILL ALWAYS HEAR ME
HE SITS ALONE THE CARDS ARE SHOWN AS HE EMBRACES THE DARK
THE ONLY SOUND THAT HE WILL HEAR IS THERE IN HIS HEART
SOMEONE IS WHISPERING SOFTLY TO ME SHADOWS OF THINGS THAT NO ONE CAN SEE THEY ARE THERE FOR YOU IF YOU WANT THEM TO BE YOU WANT THEM TO BE YOU WANT THEM TO....
BUT IN THE NIGHT THE DARKNESS BREATHES IF HE WILLS IT TO BE
BEFORE HIS EYES THE MUSIC DIES BUT HE WILL ALWAYS HEAR ME
HE SITS ALONE THE CARDS ARE SHOWN AS HE EMBRACES THE DARK
THE ONLY SOUND THAT HE WILL HEAR IS THERE IN HIS HEART
14. Für Elise
[Instrumental]
[Beethoven once more relents when he realizes what he would lose. Fate then takes him to an alley outside a neighborhood tavern. It is years later and both Beethoven and Theresa are considerably older. Neither one of them has ever married. By pure chance Theresa sees Beethoven leaving a bar late at night but she does not make her presence known to him. From a distance she ponders what might have been.]
15. After The Fall
[THERESA]
TIME ONLY TIME COULD NEVER TAKE ME AWAY FROM YOU
AND WHY SHOULD IT TRY TIME NEVER CARES JUST WHAT WE DO
IT JUST SITS ON A STAR AND GAZES DOWN DROPPING ITS MOMENTS ALL AROUND AND IF I COULD WISH UPON THAT STAR I WOULD FIND WHAT YOU DREAM AND THEN ASK GOD TO GRANT IT
I WANTED TO SAY THIS LONG BEFORE THIS DARK WOULD FALL AT NIGHT I WOULD PRAY THIS THEN WONDER IF GOD HEARD AT ALL FOR THE CHANCES I'VE HAD ARE NOW LONG GONE AND THAT STAR IS NO LONGER WISHED UPON FOR ON THIS NIGHT IT SEEMS TOO FAR AWAY
TRY I HAVE TRIED TO PRETEND THAT I DON'T CARE BUT THEN SLEEP ARRIVES AND IN EVERY DREAM I FIND YOU THERE
BUT I DON'T WANT THE PAST TO BE MY LIFE AND I DON'T WANT TO LIVE INSIDE THE NIGHT BUT I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR SHADOW FADE SO I SLEEP AND I DREAM THOUGH I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT
I WANTED TO SAY THIS LONG BEFORE THIS DARK WOULD FALL AT NIGHT I WOULD PRAY THIS THEN WONDER IF GOD HEARD AT ALL FOR THE CHANCES I'VE HAD ARE NOW LONG GONE AND THAT STAR IS NO LONGER WISHED UPON FOR ON THIS NIGHT IT SEEMS TOO FAR AWAY
YOU CAN LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A THOUSAND WAYS BUT IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THAT SINGLE DAY WHEN YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU REGRET WHAT YOU CAN'T RECLAIM BUT YOU CAN'T FORGET IF I COULD JUST FALL BACK INTO MY LIFE AND FIND YOU THERE INSIDE THIS NIGHT AND LET ETERNITY JUST DRIFT AWAY
[Beethoven realizes that Theresa never would have cared about his deafness and is crushed as he realizes what might have been. To ease the pain of his regret, Fate then shows him glimpses of the future and the countless musicians who will be inspired by, and build upon the legacy of his music. She then allows him a final vision; a vision in which he improvises with musicians from the past by whom he was inspired , as well as musicians from the future, who will be inspired by him.]
16. A Last Illusion
[GHOSTS]
PRIUSQUAM PRAESENS DAMNATUS SALVENS : HIC HOMO NESCIENS. QUAE FUTURA EST ?
EST PLANE VANUM? MAGNIFICANDUM? ERROR AUT SANUM? O FORTUNA EST! QUA?
THE PAST AND PRESENT LOSS AND REDEMPTION A MAN'S INTENTIONS ALL THINGS YET TO BE
A LAST ILLUSION TIME'S ABSOLUTION FACT AND CONFUSION FATE AND DESTINY BOUND
[Fate allows him to see some of the countless people who will be touched, consoled and transformed by his music; a woman who has lost her husband and finds peace in listening to the Pastoral Symphony, a child who is crippled forgetting his infirmity while lost in the Ode To Joy.]
[At the end of this last minute review of his life, he now realizes that the removal of what he considers the most painful moments of his life also removes the inspiration for what he considers his finest work. Change one thing and he changes it all.]
17. This Is Who You Are
[BEETHOVEN]
SOMETIMES SLOWLY TIME BRINGS REVELATION
WAITING SOFTLY FOR SOMEONE TO BELIEVE
THAT THE GHOSTS WE'VE HIDDEN OR LEFT TO DIE HAVE NOW ARISEN AND WILL ARRIVE TO SAY WHAT HAS HAPPENED SAY WHAT HAS HAPPENED SAY WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME
AND WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT YOU'D BE THE ONE THAT I WOULD HAVE FOUND HERE WAITING
LOST IN THIS NIGHT UNTIL YOU ARRIVED AND ALWAYS TOO BLIND TO SEE
AND WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT AFTER THIS TIME THAT I'D BE THE ONE YOU'RE SAVING
NOW UNDISGUISED THE GHOSTS THAT SURVIVE NOW SAY WHAT WAS MEANT TO BE
I NEVER WANTED TO GIVE MY LIFE AWAY WHO EVER THOUGHT IT WOULD MATTER ANY WAY
WANDERING INSIDE THIS NIGHT FINDING PIECES OF A LIFE NEVER SURE I'D EVER KNOW WHAT IT MEANS
IT'S THE STRANGERS IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU'D NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D MEET IT'S THE HAND THAT PICKED YOU UP WHEN YOU'RE LAYING IN THE STREET
IT'S THE HAND THAT CUT YOU DOWN IT'S THE DREAM THAT SOMEONE SHARED WHEN YOU THOUGHT THAT ALL WAS LOST IT'S THE FRIEND THAT WASN'T THERE
YOU CAN RUN FROM ALL THE MEMORY BUT NEVER GET THAT FAR FOR IN THE END THEY'LL FIND YOU FOR THIS IS WHO YOU ARE
CHANGE ONE NOTE CHANGE ONE LINE NOTHING'S GOING TO BE THE SAME CHANGE ONE LOSS CHANGE ONE CUT EVERYTHING IS RE-ARRANGED
EVERY ACT CRUEL OR KIND LOST INSIDE OUR MEMORY IF YOU LOOK THERE IN TIME
YOU'LL FIND IT IN FIND IT IN FIND IT IN YOU'LL FIND IT IN ME
18. Beethoven
[Instrumental]
[Once more back in 1827 Vienna, he tells Fate that he would not change a thing from his past and risk losing the music. The music is who he is, the reason for his existence. Also, having seen the influence of his music on so many lives, he knows that he could never give the music to Mephistopheles. Still, he does not wish to lose his soul. Desperately he ponders his dilemma.]
19. Mephistopheles' Return
[BEETHOVEN]
IN EVERY LIFE IT HAS BEEN SAID THERE COMES A TIME TO JOIN THE DEAD ADMIT THERE IS NO SECOND CHANCE AND JOIN DEATH IN A FINAL DANCE
ACROSS THE FLOOR ETERNITY UNTIL THE FINAL MOMENTS BLED AND IN THE DARK TO TAKE HIS HAND ACCEPT THAT IT IS TIME TO WED
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M THINKING BECAUSE ALL THAT I SEE IS HIS FACE GRINNING MEPHISTOPHELES
I NEED TO FIND AN ANSWER FOR THIS ONE CAN NOT BE WITHIN THE WORDS OF MEPHISTOPHEL...
[TOWARDS TWIST]
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW DID YOU REALLY THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE AN EVER AFTER
DO YOU THINK I'M SCARED TELL ME DOES IT SHOW WHEN INSIDE THIS DEAFNESS I CAN ALWAYS HEAR HIS WHISPERING
[TOWARDS GHOSTS]
THERE COMES A TIME YOU DECIDE WHAT FROM YOUR LIFE WILL BE REAL WHAT SCARS YOU WILL KEEP ALIVE WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO HEAL
BUT CAN I GAMBLE THIS NIGHT WITH EVERYTHING THAT I AM AND CAN I ERASE MY LIFE OR DO I STAY HERE AND BE DAMNED
[TOWARDS TWIST]
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW DID YOU REALLY THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE AN EVER AFTER
DO YOU THINK I'M SCARED TELL ME DOES IT SHOW WHEN INSIDE THIS DEAFNESS I CAN ALWAYS HEAR HIS LAUGHTER
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M THINKING BECAUSE ALL THAT I SEE IS HIS FACE GRINNING MEPHISTOPHELES
I NEED TO FIND AN ANSWER FOR THIS ONE CAN NOT BE WITHIN THE WORDS OF MEPHISTOPHELES
DON'T NEED THIS PATH BEFORE ME DON'T NEED FORGOTTEN GLORY DON'T NEED THESE THREATS OF VIOLENCE DON'T NEED ETERNAL SILENCE
DON'T NEED THESE MIDNIGHT VISIONS DON'T NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS DON'T NEED TO BE UNCERTAIN DON'T NEED THIS FINAL CURTAIN
[II]
SOMEWHERE OUT THERE HE STILL GAZES AS I WANDER THROUGH HIS MAZES
DEATH AND LIFE HERE TRUTH OR LIES EVERY THOUGHT IS WELL DISGUISED
[III]
NOW IT IS TOO LATE THIS PATH TO TAKE DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY LIFE THIS WAY
MEDUSA DREAMS THE DEAD STILL SCREAM DON'T WANT TO SEE MY LIFE BETRAYED
[IV]
ALL THESE THINGS ARE NOW BEFORE ME ENDLESS DEATH OR TIMELESS GLORY ON THIS NIGHT OF GHOSTS RETURNING TO THE LIGHT OF BRIDGES BURNING
NOW IT IS TOO LATE THIS PATH TO TAKE DON'T WANT TO SEE MY LIFE BE...( TRAYED )
[TOWARDS TWIST]
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW DID YOU REALLY THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE AN EVER AFTER
DO YOU THINK I'M SCARED TELL ME DOES IT SHOW WHEN INSIDE THIS DEAFNESS I CAN ALWAYS HEAR HIS LAUGHTER
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M THINKING BECAUSE ALL THAT I SEE IS HIS FACE GRINNING MEPHISTOPHELES
I NEED TO FIND AN ANSWER FOR THIS ONE CANNOT BE WITHIN THE WORDS OF MEPHISTOPHELES
THE COST OF PATIENCE WHEN THERE'S NO TIME BEFORE ME OF HESITATION ALL FOR THIS TWISTED GLORY
AND MY SALVATION THE COST OF HOW IT'S GOTTEN THE COST OF WHAT'S GAINED ALL FORGOTTEN ALL FORGOTTEN
[When Mephistopheles returns to find his offer refused, he quickly replaces it with another. If Beethoven will only give him the un-released Tenth Symphony (which no one else has heard, so he reasons it will never be missed) he will return the maestro's soul. Beethoven agonizes once more. The ghost of Mozart appears and tells him that it is the greatest musical piece ever created; it is the voice of God, and he cannot allow it to be destroyed. As the apparition of Mozart fades, he once again decides that he is unable to destroy this music.]
[In a final desperate attempt to obtain the Tenth Symphony, Mephistopheles points out through a window to a child sleeping in the gutter. He tells the old man that he owns this child's life and in great detail lists all the horrors and suffering that she will experience in her short existence.]
20. Misery
[MEPHISTOPHELES]
THERE IS A CHILD AND SHE SLEEPS IN THE GUTTER DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SHE'S EASY TO SEE SHE IS NOT YOUR CHILD SHE'S ALWAYS ANOTHER'S AND THOSE YOU ABANDON THEY ARE LEFT TO ME
AND KNOW I WILL IMPALE HER LIKE A KNIFE LEAVE HER TWISTING DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY OF A VERY SHORT LIFE WITH ME
LISTEN NOW CLOSELY AND HEAR HOW I'VE PLANNED IT PLEASE LET ME TELL YOU JUST HOW IT WILL BE
SHE'LL FEEL THE PAIN BUT SHE WON'T UNDERSTAND IT SHE'LL THINK IT'S HER FATE BUT WE'LL KNOW IT'S ME
AND KNOW I WILL IMPALE HER LIKE A KNIFE LEAVE HER TWISTING DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY OF A VERY SHORT LIFE WITH ME
SO LET ME KNOW HAVE I BEEN CLEAR THAT I WILL MAGNIFY EACH CUT AND EVERY BRUISE AND EVERY SINGLE CHILDHOOD TEAR
I'LL PICK HER SCABS CRIPPLE A HAND PUSH A FINGER IN EACH WOUND I MAKE NOW TELL ME THEN DO YOU UNDERSTAND YOU UNDERSTAND? YOU UNDERSTAND YOU UNDERSTAND? YOU UNDERSTAND
AND KNOW I WILL IMPALE HER LIKE A KNIFE LEAVE HER TWISTING DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY OF A VERY SHORT LIFE WITH ME
[If Beethoven will release to him this final musical creation, then Mephistopheles will give up all claims on the child, irrevocably removing himself and all his evil underlings from the child's life for all eternity.]
[Beethoven immediately turns away, determined to give a firm and final no. But before the word can leave his lips he finds himself looking back out the window. He tries to convince himself that the child means nothing to him, especially when compared to the Tenth Symphony. But with every word disclaiming her, she digs deeper and deeper into his soul.]
21. Who Is This Child
[BEETHOVEN]
WHO IS THIS CHILD THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE WHO IS THIS CHILD THAT I'VE NOT SEEN TILL THIS DAY
WHO DARES TO FALL ASLEEP OUTSIDE MY DOOR IF WE SHOULD WAIT AWHILE I'M SURE SHE'LL GO AWAY
TO BE INVOLVED WITH THIS WOULD SURELY NOT BE WISE FOR IN THE FINAL WORD SHE MEANS NOTHING TO ME
I LEARNED THE TRICK IS THAT WE JUST AVOID HER EYES AND THE QUESTION WHAT SHE MEANS TO ...
WHAT IS THIS LIFE THERE WILL BE OTHER LIVES SOON TO ARRIVE SURELY SOME WILL SURVIVE SHE IS BUT ONE AND THERE ARE MANY MORE EACH THE SAME AS ANY OTHER
WHO IS THIS CHILD WHAT DOES SHE MEAN TO ME I CLOSE MY EYES AND STILL HER FACE I SEE SHE IS BUT ONE HER KIND IS EVERYWHERE CAN'T YOU SEE THERE'S NO WAY I SHOULD CARE
I NEED A MOMENT NOW I HAVE TO CLEAR MY MIND THERE IS A LIMIT LORD JUST TO BEING KIND
THERE IS NO WAY IN LIFE THAT EACH CHILD CAN BE SAVED SHOULD I BE LOOKING WITH REGRET AT EVERY GRAVE
THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES IN LIFE SHE SHOULD BE WARNED I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CHILD BEING BORN
I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE IN ANY KIND OF WAY FOR EVERY CHILD THAT LIFE CAN GATHER
WHAT IS THIS LIFE THERE WILL BE OTHER LIVES SOON TO ARRIVE SURELY SOME WILL SURVIVE
SHE IS BUT ONE AND THERE ARE MANY MORE COULD THIS ONE LIFE REALLY MATTER
WHO IS THIS CHILD WHAT DOES SHE MEAN TO ME I CLOSE MY EYES AND STILL HER FACE I SEE SHE IS BUT ONE HER KIND IS EVERYWHERE CAN'T YOU SEE THERE'S NO WAY I SHOULD CARE
CAN YOU SEE IT IN THE NIGHT CAN YOU FEEL THAT IT'S OUT THERE IT'S THE ARCING OF A LIFE AND IT'S HANGING IN THE AIR
THOUGH I TRY TO CLOSE MY EYES AND PRETEND THAT I DON'T KNOW IN MY HEART I JUST CAN'T LET IT GO
THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY FOR ME A WAY THAT LEADS FROM THIS INSANITY A WAY THAT LEADS FROM MY DESTRUCTION IN THIS WAY
CAN YOU SEE IT IN THE NIGHT CAN YOU FEEL THAT IT'S OUT THERE IT'S THE ARCING OF A LIFE AND IT'S HANGING IN THE AIR
THOUGH I TRY TO CLOSE MY EYES AND PRETEND THAT I DON'T KNOW IN MY HEART I JUST CAN'T LET IT GO
[Despite his best efforts he cannot bring himself to leave the child to this evil, and collapsing on the piano bench, he tells the devil that he has a deal. Beethoven is now a totally broken man as the fact sinks in that he has lost both his soul and his Tenth Symphony.]
[Mephistopheles dances with delight as he picks up the manuscript never noticing Twist who sneaks over and whispers in Ludwig's ear, "How do you know that Mephistopheles will keep his word?" Beethoven sits up and repeats the question aloud. Mephistopheles, never looking up from examining his prize, replies that Beethoven can draw up his own wording for a contract that they will write on a page torn from the back of a bible. Beethoven glances questioningly towards Fate who is still watching from the background. She nods her head for even the shadows know that a contract written on such sacred paper is unbreakable, even by the devil himself.]
[Beethoven, totally exhausted, mutters his consent but is unable to write the words that will bring about the destruction of his beloved Tenth. Fate, sensing his dilemma, offers to write down the agreement for him and he hands the paper to her. As he stares out the window Fate writes,]
[It is agreed upon this night, March 26, 1827, between the undersigned, that the music of the Tenth Symphony, composed by Ludwig von Beethoven, first born son of Johann and Maria von Beethoven, of the city of Bonn, shall henceforth be the property of Mephistopheles, Lord of Darkness and first fallen from the grace of God. It is also understood that it is his intention to remove any signs of this music from the memory of man for all eternity. In exchange for the destruction of the aforementioned music it is also agreed that Mephistopheles and all his minions will remove themselves from the life of the child presently sleeping in the gutter directly across from the window of this room. This removal of influence is to be commenced immediately upon signing and to be enforced for all eternity.] [_____________________ Ludwig Von Beethoven] [_____________________ Mephistopheles]
[Mephistopheles reads the paper, signs it and pushes it in front of Beethoven. Without even looking at the document the composer signs the paper. Immediately, Mephistopheles reaches over the piano, seizes the Tenth's manuscript and thrusts it over a lit candle. The papers are engulfed in a wall of flames. But when the flames have died down the devil is stunned to find that not only does the manuscript still exist, it is not even singed. Thrusting it back over the candle it is once again engulfed in flames only to emerge unscathed.]
[Sensing that he has been tricked, he screams for an explanation but Beethoven's expression tells him that he is as shocked at the turn of events as the Devil himself. As Mephistopheles is glancing once more at the manuscript he hears the sound of Twist giggling in the darkness.]
[When he demands to know what the dwarf is laughing at, Twist can hardly conceal his delight as he explains that the composer's parents gave birth to a son prior to the maestro's birth. They had named him Ludwig von Beethoven but the child died within his first year. They then named their second son Ludwig as well. Twist continues, "The man before you is that Ludwig Von Beethoven, the second born son of Johann & Maria Von Beethoven. You have purchased a Tenth Symphony of Ludwig Von Beethoven, first born of Johann & Maria, if he ever writes one." Mephistopheles glares at Fate, who smiles back at him demurely. Then, throwing the music back at Beethoven, he screams in frustration and disappears in an explosion of smoke and flame.]
[Beethoven is surprised by Mephistopheles' rapid departure and asks if he is not coming back to collect his soul. To which Fate replies that he never had any claim to his soul.]
["But Mephistopheles said..."]
["He is the devil," Fate replies, "He lies."]
["But, there were times when I was rude and cruel to people," Beethoven stutters.]
["True, the frustration of your deafness did cause you at times to lash out unfairly at others, but later you would always regret it and apologize. You often went through great lengths to make amends for any hurts you had caused. Believe me Ludwig, you have done well."]
[And with those words a warm feeling of peace spreads throughout Beethoven's body and across his soul.]
[When he asks Fate what is to happen next, she gently tells him that it is time for him to rest, for tonight he will dream a new dream within the gates of paradise. And as the words weave their way into his soul, Beethoven lies down on the couch near his piano and begins a new dream.]
22. A Final Dream
[FATE]
LAY YOUR HEAD DOWN AND SLEEP ON MY SHOULDER LAY YOUR HEAD DOWN AND START A NEW DREAM AND FOR TONIGHT THE MOMENT IS OVER DRIFT IN A LULLABY HERE WHERE THE STARS RESIDE AND ANGELS ARE ALWAYS SEEN
AND LAY YOUR HEAD DOWN THE STARS THEY HAVE WHISPERED HEAR WHAT THEY SAY AND KNOW THAT IT MEANS THE MOON IS YOUR GUIDE THE STARS THEY HAVE KISSED HER AS SHE GOES GENTLY BY LIGHT AS A BABY'S SIGH SAFE ON A FAIRY TALE STREAM
AND START A NEW DREAM
[With the departure of his soul the storm begins to break and a stillness settles over the room as one by one the ghosts and shadows fade away. All seems at peace until the sudden re-appearance of Twist returning through a window. He gazes about the room, a look of mischievous delight spreading across his face. Scampering over to the piano, he takes the manuscript for the Tenth Symphony and then climbing up a bookcase, carefully slips it behind a wall. Here it will remain hidden, the world blissfully unaware of its existence until that one day in the future when it will be discovered and the music will once more live again.]
[THE END]
((All lyrics are the property and copyright of their owners. All lyrics provided for educational purposes only.))
0-Kanaleto-0 · Wed Jul 21, 2010 @ 09:52am · 0 Comments |