Latest news with #OdetoJoy
TimesLIVE
7 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Fujairah highway has musical rumble strips that play Beethoven's ‘Ode to Joy'
Similar musical roads have been installed in the US, Japan and Hungary. However, this is the first permanent music road in the Arab world, according to Ali Obaid Al Hefaiti, director of the Fine Arts Academy in Fujairah, an emirate 120km from the global tourism hub of Dubai. The technology works by carving strategically spaced grooves into the asphalt on Fujairah's Sheikh Khalifa Street. When tyres hit the ridges at about 120km/h, the resulting vibrations produce a melody audible inside the vehicle. Beethoven's Ode to Joy , a tune known to almost every ear on earth, was a natural choice, Al Hefaiti said. Mohammad Al Matrooshi, an Omani resident travelling from Sharjah, said the music relaxed him after a long journey. 'The music gives you a different mood, specially because the music is by Beethoven.'
Reuters
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Reuters
Roll over Beethoven: Remote highway plays Ode to Joy
FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates, July 17 (Reuters) - No radio? No problem. The emirate of Fujairah has installed rumble strips along a 750-meter (half-mile) stretch of highway that play the Ode to Joy melody from Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony as cars roll over - part of a project to integrate music into daily life. Similar so-called Musical Roads have already been installed in places like the United States, Japan and Hungary. However, this is the first permanent road in the Arab world according to Ali Obaid Al Hefaiti, director of the Fine Arts Academy in Fujairah, a lesser-known emirate roughly 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the global tourism hub of Dubai. The technology works by carving strategically-spaced grooves into the asphalt on Fujairah's Sheikh Khalifa Street. Then, as tires hit the ridges at roughly 100 km/hr (62 mph), the resulting vibrations produce a melody audible inside the vehicle. Beethoven's Ode to Joy, a tune known to almost every ear on earth, was a natural choice, Al Hefaiti said. Mohammad Al Matrooshi, an Omani resident traveling from Sharjah, said the music relaxed him after a long journey. "The music gives you a different mood, especially because the music is by Beethoven."
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra to premiere Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 concert film
The Mzansi Philharmonic Orchestra Image: Supplied The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra (Mzansi Philharmonic) is set to take audiences on a captivating cinematic journey with the world première of its concert film, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Francois Verster, this remarkable film will hit screens across South Africa from 25 to 30 July 2025. This screening represents a momentous occasion in South African cultural history, marking the first time this monumental symphonic work is presented nationwide by a South African orchestra in such a cinematic format. Conducted by the esteemed Marin Alsop, the film was captured live at the iconic Cape Town City Hall in 2022. It promises to offer a fresh interpretation of Beethoven's timeless Ode to Joy, infused with a uniquely South African essence. Bongani Tembe, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the Mzansi Philharmonic, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, 'This historic presentation will showcase the iconic Ode to Joy, reimagined with a unique South African soul.' He highlighted the collaboration with Grammy-winning artist Wouter Kellerman and his ensemble, which adds depth to the performance by integrating the Zulu language alongside the original German text, thereby reflecting the nation's rich linguistic diversity and artistic expression. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading For the first time in South African history, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 will be presented in cinemas nationwide — performed by the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra and brought to screen in partnership with Ster-Kinekor. Image: Supplied Lynne Wylie, Head of Marketing at Ster-Kinekor, echoed this sentiment, stating, 'We're incredibly proud to partner with South Africa's national orchestra to bring this world-class cultural event to cinemas across the country. At Ster-Kinekor, we believe in the power of cinema to connect audiences with powerful stories, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 Concert Film is exactly that: a story of joy, unity, and the beauty of cultural fusion.' With its unique artistic vision, this film promises to resonate deeply with South African audiences, bringing the magic of live orchestral performance to the big screen. The cultural significance of this initiative goes beyond entertainment; it aims to foster civic pride and engagement among South Africans. By reaching diverse audiences, from students to culture enthusiasts and the general public, the concert film encourages greater participation in the arts, paving the way for a new generation of South African musicians and artists. Nicole Haynes, Business and Tour Manager of Mzansi Philharmonic and associate producer of the film, articulated the orchestra's mission, stating, 'This project represents a landmark in our mission to make world-class orchestral music accessible to all South Africans.' She emphasised the universal themes of hope, joy, and resilience embedded in Beethoven's music, inviting every audience member to connect across backgrounds. Francois Verster, reflecting on his experience as part of this collaborative project, remarked, 'Being able to make a film of a performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony during the Mzansi Philharmonic Orchestra's first nationwide tour has been a wonderful opportunity. Full symphony concerts are rarely viewed in cinemas, and what we have attempted with this film is to offer a new way of presenting a concert within the cinema space. This project aims to interpret the music while emphasising the musicians' experience, creating an immersive atmosphere that places viewers on stage with them.' In addition to its artistic merits, the concert film is expected to yield substantial economic benefits for South Africa's creative sector. The arts contribute significantly to the nation's economy, supporting thousands of jobs and driving cultural tourism. During the Mzansi Philharmonic's successful first national tour in December 2022, over 250 artists were employed, including musicians, choristers, visual artists, and performers. This film project, alongside the orchestra's national tours, aims to widen access to orchestral music, stimulate interest in the arts, and showcase South Africa's cultural exports on a global platform.
New York Post
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
This country's highway ‘plays' Beethoven's Ninth Symphony when you drive over it
It's an 'Ode to Joyriding.' Drivers in one stretch of highway in the United Arab Emirates are in for a musical treat when they cruise over cleverly-installed rumble strips — a rendition of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The reason is the spacing of the strips on a half-mile section in the right hand lane of the E84 highway in Fujairah, with the grooves sounding out the notes to the famed composer's masterpiece. A stretch of a highway in the United Arab Emirates plays Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony when you drive over rumble strips. Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images The move is part of 'Street of Music,' an international project that seeks to promote the arts. 'We wanted this project to be in our country, Ali Obaid Al Hefaiti, director of the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy in the UAM, which spearheaded the hummable highway idea. 'I think that the project is focused on spreading the art culture,' Al Hefaiti told the Associated Press. 'The combination of music in our lives and our normal lives.' Fujairah installed the Beethoven lane as part of the 'Street of Music' program to promote the arts. Photo by UniversalBeethoven's Ninth Symphony, first performed in 1824, is one of the German-born composer's most recognizable works. Its final movement, 'Ode to Joy,' is widely performed to this day and remains a staple in countless television ads and film soundtracks over the years. With Post wires
Los Angeles Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
A classical drive: Road rumble strips play Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in UAE emirate of Fujairah
FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates — The humble road rumble strip, used around the world to alert drifting drivers to potential hazards or lane departures, can play Beethoven on a mountain highway in the far reaches of the United Arab Emirates. For nearly a half-mile along the E84 highway — also known as the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road — motorists in the right-hand lane coming into the city of Fujairah can play Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony where the rubber meets the road. 'The 'Street of Music,' of course, is an art project that exists in some countries ... but we wanted this project to be in our country,' said Ali Obaid Al Hefaiti, director of the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy, which recently wrapped up the project in collaboration with local authorities. 'I think that the project is focused on spreading the art culture. The combination of music in our lives and our normal lives,' he added. For drivers coming into Fujairah, the rumble strip initially looks like a larger, rectangular version of the dash lines separating the three-lane highway. That's until you hit the first block, and the grooves of the road combine with the speed of the vehicle to make music. Driving over each block sounds out the best-known parts of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony — the final movements known commonly as the tune 'Ode to Joy,' or in its more modern form, the official anthem of the European Union. Al Hefaiti recommended motorists hit the blocks at around 60 mph to get the tune just right. The road has become a social media sensation, bringing visitors to one of the lesser-known emirates in the UAE along its eastern coast with the Gulf of Oman. Drivers have been spotted slowing down to experience the musical road as they come into the city. Passers-by can get the same effect from standing on the side of the road, though motorists often come in quickly. The concept isn't new — there have been 'singing shoulders' deployed in other countries including across the Persian Gulf in Iran. But Al Hefaiti believes this is the first one in the Arab world. Beyond it going viral, Al Hefaiti thinks it will bring classical music into everyday life and 'raise awareness about the importance of art culture.' As for why an Emirati fine arts school picked a European composer born in the 18th century to represent Fujairah, Al Hefaiti said that he always encourages his students to explore different cultures. Levin writes for the Associated Press.
