beethoven´s last night dramma

7/31/2019 Beethovens Last Night Dramma

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Trans Siberian Orchestra Beethovens Last Night Dramma

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THE BEETHOVENS LAST NIGHT DRAMMA:

CHARACTERS

LUDWIG VON BEETHOVEN - The maestro himself on the last night of his life.FATE - The spirit of Fate. She is a young beautiful woman.

TWIST - Fate's hunchback dwarf son. Mischievous but not malicious.MEPHISTOPHELES - The devil himself . Evil with a seductive charm and flair.YOUNG BEETHOVEN - The composer as a young man.MOZART - WOLFGANG AMADEUS himself.THERESA - The legendary, "Immortal Beloved." The great love of his life.YOUNG GIRL - An orphan, approximately six years old.THE MUSES - voices of artistic inspiration.

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 dishevelled room, Ludwig Von Beethoven is slumpedover his piano and on the piano sits the just completed manuscript for his Tenth Symphony. Itis his final, and he is certain, his greatest work.

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 SHADOWSTHE GREAT BEETHOVEN WAS SPENDING

HIS LAST NIGHT

From the shadows a beautiful spirit, Fate, and her deformed dwarf son, Twist, emerge toinform Beethoven of what he has already deeply suspected, that this is to be his last night onearth. They are accompanied by numerous spirits and ghosts from his past.


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AS SHE DRIFTS THROUGH OUR LIVESTOSSING COINS INTO THE AIR

WATCH THEM TWISTWATCH THEM FALL

TURNING HOPE INTO DESPAIR

WATCH THEM TWISTWATCH THEM FALL

THEN SHE SUDDENLY REVIVESEVERY DREAM THAT WE'VE HAD

AND WE FIND OURSELVESALIVE

BELIEVE MEFATE STANDS NEAR MEFATE STATE CLEARLY

WHETHER THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CARD

RECEIVE US

TIME DECEIVES USTHE ONLY MOMENT IN OUR LIVES

THAT EVER REALLY MATTERED FATEIS NOW

With each successive crack of lightning the spirits move closer and eventually Beethoven findstheir distraction unbearable.

WHAT GOOD THIS DEAFNESS

( BEETHOVEN )

WHAT GOOD THIS DEAFNESSTHAT MY WHOLE LIFE I HAVE DREAD

WHAT GOOD THIS DEAFNESSWITH THESE VOICES IN MY HEAD

WHAT GOOD THIS DEAFNESSIF 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 SAYINGDID YOU REALLY WANT TO BE HERE ALONE

HAVE I INTERRUPTED A MOMENT OF PRAYINGWHILE YOUR LIFE'S DECAYING

YOUR SINS ARE THEY WEIGHINGWHILE YOU'VE BEEN CARVING YOUR STONE

ALL ON YOUR OWN

DID YOU REALLY WANT TO SIT HERE IN SILENCECOULD IT BE THAT BROODING IS PART OF YOUR ART

IS IT AN EXTENSION OF ARTISTIC LICENSEA MOODY DEFIANCE

OF ALL OF LIFE'S TYRANTS

WHILE YOU'VE BEEN SEARCHING YOUR HEARTALONE WITH US IN THE DARK


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Beethoven implores the spirits to leave him alone, but Twist tells him that as shadows they onlyexist by the light that Beethoven's life has cast and as that light is fading, it is only natural thatthey should cling to its last moments of illumination. As the clock strikes midnight theirconversation is suddenly interrupted by the appearance of Mephistopheles. His presence causesall 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 witheternal damnation, the terrified composer claims that it cannot be his time, that he has yet tocomplete his Tenth Symphony. Mephistopheles looks at the manuscript and then withseemingly 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 admitthat it is his masterpiece and he would not change a single note. His bluff called, Beethoven stillcan not believe that this is how his life must end. Mephistopheles assures him that not only is itso, but his reaction is the nearly universal response from every man who is about to becondemned to hell. But he then tells Beethoven he is a very fortunate man, for he has decided tooffer the maestro something very rarely offered to humans at the end of their time, a secondchance, a possible way out of his most unfortunate dilemma.

MEPHISTOPHELES

(MEPHISTOPHELES)

ALL OF YOUR LIFE NOWYOU HAVE DENIEDTHERE'D BE A TIME

WHEN YOU'D EVER DIESTILL IT'S BEEN RUMORED THIS THING MUST BE

WHY IS IT THEN THAT YOU ACT SURPRISED

WHEN I APPEAR NOW TO BE YOUR GUIDEWHY DO YOU HESITATE TO FOLLOW ME

SEE IT RISINGSTARE AND WONDER

HEAR IT BECKONYOU TO DANCE

FEEL IT HOLD YOUTAKE 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 SPAREDSTILL YOUR ENTREATIES DEATH WILL NOT HEAR

THE GRAVEYARD IS FILLED WITH IMPORTANT MENWHO COULD NOT BE SPARED BUT WERE IN THE END

AND SO I WHISPER NOW IN YOUR EAR

SEE IT RISINGSTARE AND WONDER

HEAR IT BECKONYOU TO DANCE

FEEL IT HOLD YOUTAKE YOU UNDER

I'M YOUR GOD OF SECOND CHANCE


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ALL I WASMEANT TO BE

COULD ISUDDENLY

JUST DECIDENOT A THOUGHT

WOULD SURVIVECOULD IT BEMY LIFE'S WORTH

ENDED THEREWITH MY BIRTH

IF I COULD SEE SOMEONEWHO'S BEEN THERE BEFORE ME

AND TRADED HIS SOULFOR A MOMENT OF GLORY

HIS PENANCE OR MERCYBY SPIRITS DEBATED

WHILE JUDGED ON A SCALETHAT'S BEEN HEAVILY WEIGHTED

AND WHAT HAVE I DONECOULD THERE BE SUCH A SIN

IN THIS MAN I'VE BECOMEIN THIS MAN THAT I'VE BEEN

NOW CALLING TO GODFROM THE PIT'S VERY BOTTOM

I PRAY HE FORGIVESEVERY SIN I'VE FORGOTTEN

THIS DAY

AND WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHTTHAT MY FATE IT WOULD CONJURE

THIS TWIST IN THE ROADON WHICH I HAVE WANDERED

EACH VISION AND DREAM NOWCOMPLETELY DISMEMBEREDTO GIVE ONE'S WHOLE LIFE

AND FIND NOTHING'SREMEMBERED

AND WHAT GOOD IS A LIFETHAT LEAVES NOTHING BEHINDNOT A THOUGHT OR A DREAM

THAT MIGHT ECHO IN TIME

THE YEARS AND THE HOURSTHE SECONDS AND MINUTES

AND EVERYTHING THATMY LIFE HAS PLACED IN IT

BETRAYEDBETRAYEDBETRAYED

THE THINGS I HAVE DONETHE PLACES I'VE BEEN


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THE COST OF MY DREAMSTHE WEIGHT OF MY SINS

AND EVERYTHING THATI'VE GATHERED IN LIFE

COULD IT BE LOST

COULD IT BE LOST IN THISCOULD IT BE LOST IN THIS

NIGHT

Crushed by the dilemma he finds himself in and unable to reach a decision, Beethoven tries torecall the particular actions in his life that have led to his damnation. In anger, he confronts Fatefor having dealt him such a cruel hand in life. Taken aback by his accusations, she offers toreview 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 wouldlike to start, Beethoven says the first thing he would change is his childhood. Fate takes himback 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 toconsole himself by playing a melody that he finds soothing. Beethoven recognizes the melodyas the future Sixth Symphony and sitting down next to the child completes the tune. The childsmiles at this kindly adult and after they talk for awhile, asks if they might meet again andfinish the song. Beethoven reassures the child that one day that just might possibly happen.

THE MOMENT

( BEETHOVEN )

IN THIS WORLD OF CIRCUMSTANCE

CHILDREN NEVER FEAR FOREVERAND THIS MOMENT THAT ENCHANTSSOMEDAY WE MAY BOTH REMEMBER

THENMAYBE THEN

IF WE ARE STILL ALIVETHEN

MAYBE THENTHIS MOMENT WILL SURVIVE

THERE IS TIME IN EVERY WORDTHERE ARE WORDS IN EVERY REASON

AND THESE NOTES THAT ARE UNHEARDONE DAY THEY MAY FIND THEIR SEASON

THENMAYBE THEN

IF WE ARE STILL ALIVETHEN

MAYBE THENTHIS MOMENT WILL SURVIVE

THENMAYBE THEN

IF WE ARE STILL ALIVE

THEN


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ALL FORGIVENLIVES SPENT IN VAINNEVER RECLAIMED

TAKE THEIR FINAL BOWS

PICTURES AND WORDS

VISIONS ABSURDMADDENED POETSALL WITHIN SIGHTFAILURES IN LIFE

WHO'LL NEVER KNOW ITLAZARUS CRIES

THERE IN HIS EYESHOPE HAS RISEN

DEPTH AND FACADEALL BEFORE ME NOW

Together Fate and Beethoven watch the composer as a young man meeting his greatest idol,Mozart.

MOZART

(Instrumental)

Fate then reminds him of Theresa, his first and greatest love. Together they witness the youngcouple's first night together. Young Beethoven is already being called the greatest piano playerwho has ever lived and Theresa is a Princess in the Hapsburg Empire. They are both deeply inlove.

THE DREAMS OF CANDLELIGHT

( THERESA )

COULD THIS NIGHT IT LAST FOREVEREVERY MOMENT HELD TOGETHER

AS IF IN A PERFECT TRANCEAND SUCH A THING COULD BE

NO ONE ELSE WOULD UNDERSTAND ITWE WOULD KNOW THE GODS HAD PLANNED IT

AND FOR SUCH A NIGHT AS THISTHAT THEY GAVE MEMORY

AND WE WOULD LIVE INSIDE THIS NIGHTWITHIN THE DREAMS OF CANDLELIGHTIF YOU WOULD BRING THIS WISH TO LIFE

AND SPEND THIS NIGHT WITH ME

COULD THIS MOMENT LAST FOREVERAND THIS DREAM OUR ONE ENDEAVOR

IF THE STARS WOULD JUST ENCHANTAND TIME WOULD THEN AGREE

EVERY MOMENT OF TOMORROWFROM THIS EVENING WE WOULD BORROW

IF THIS WISH THE STARS WOULD GRANT

AND GENTLY OVERSEE


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AND WE WOULD LIVE INSIDE THIS NIGHTWITHIN THE DREAMS OF CANDLELIGHTIF 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 stationand beauty."

Fate takes them to Beethoven's parlor in 1801. There they see the composer slumped over thepiano. He is going deaf and he realizes that it is irreversible. As far as he is concerned, his life isover.

REQUIEM (THE FIFTH)

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 shewould 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 ofhis life. She knows that something is terribly wrong but has no idea what it is. Nothing that hecould tell her would affect her love for him, but Beethoven cannot believe this

I'LL KEEP YOUR SECRETS

( THERESA )

LOST IN YOUR DARK

I SEE YOU THEREWHAT DO YOU SEE BEYOND YOUR STAREAND YOU BELIEVE THAT NO ONE ELSE CAN KNOW

WHAT IS THIS THING YOU KEEP INSIDEOUT OF THE LIGHT AND WRAPPED IN PRIDE

ALWAYS AFRAID THAT ONE DAY IT WILL SHOW

I'LL KEEP YOUR SECRETSI'LL HOLD YOUR GROUND

AND WHEN THE DARKNESS STARTS TO FALLI'LL BE AROUND THERE WAITING

WHEN DREAMS ARE FADING

AND FRIENDS ARE DISTANT AND FEW


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KNOW AT THAT MOMENT I'LL BE THERE WITH YOUWHAT ARE THESE VOICES THAT YOU HEAR

ARE THEY TOO FAR OR FAR TOO NEARWHAT ARE THESE THINGS THAT ECHO FROM THE PAST

WHO ARE THESE GHOSTS YOU SEE AT NIGHT

THERE IN THE SHADOWS OF YOUR LIFETHEY ONLY LIVE BY THE LIGHT YOU CAST

I'LL KEEP YOUR SECRETSI'LL HOLD YOUR GROUND

AND WHEN THE DARKNESS STARTS TO FALLI'LL BE AROUND THERE WAITING

WHEN DREAMS ARE FADINGAND 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 ONAND 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 GROUNDKNOW AT THAT MOMENT I WILL BE AROUNDKNOW 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 ofall his unhappiness. "Remove this infirmity and my whole life will turn out right. If I had notgone deaf I would still have been able to perform live and Theresa and I would have had a lifetogether."

Fate assures him that it can be done but once again feels she must warn him of theconsequences. She points out that before his deafness his career was more concentrated on liveperformance than on composing. The Muses of music had always been speaking to him but itwas only after he became deaf that he could clearly hear their voices. "Your live performanceswere 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, butall the while the Muses continue to whisper in his ear.

THE DARK

( THE MUSES )

FEEL THE DARKNESS SMILINGEVERY NOTE IS DYINGSILENCE IS REFINING

EVERY THOUGHT IN HIS HEART

STILL THE FATES ARE WEAVINGEVERY NOTE THAT'S BLEEDING

AS HE SITS THERE SEETHINGALL ALONE IN THE DARK

ALONE IN THE DARKALONE IN THE ...


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BUT IN THE NIGHTTHE DARKNESS BREATHES

IF HE WILLS IT TO BE

BEFORE HIS EYESTHE MUSIC DIES

BUT HE WILL ALWAYS HEAR ME

HE SITS ALONETHE CARDS ARE SHOWN

AS HE EMBRACES THE DARK

THE ONLY SOUNDTHAT HE WILL HEAR

IS THERE IN HIS HEART

SOMEONE IS WHISPERING SOFTLY TO MESHADOWS OF THINGS THAT NO ONE CAN SEE

THEY ARE THERE FOR YOU IF YOU WANT THEM TO BE

YOU WANT THEM TO BEYOU WANT THEM TO....

BUT IN THE NIGHTTHE DARKNESS BREATHES

IF HE WILLS IT TO BE

BEFORE HIS EYES

THE MUSIC DIESBUT HE WILL ALWAYS HEAR ME

HE SITS ALONE

THE CARDS ARE SHOWNAS HE EMBRACES THE DARK

THE ONLY SOUNDTHAT HE WILL HEAR

IS THERE IN HIS HEART

FR 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 areconsiderably older. Neither one of them has ever married. By pure chance Theresa seesBeethoven leaving a bar late at night but she does not make her presence known to him. From adistance she ponders what might have been.

AFTER THE FALL

( THERESA )

TIMEONLY TIME

COULD NEVER TAKE ME AWAY FROM YOU


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AND WHYSHOULD IT TRY

TIME NEVER CARES JUST WHAT WE DO

IT JUST SITS ON A STARAND GAZES DOWN

DROPPING ITS MOMENTS ALL AROUNDAND IF I COULD WISH UPON THAT STAR

I WOULD FIND WHAT YOU DREAMAND THEN ASK GOD TO GRANT IT

I WANTEDTO SAY THIS

LONG BEFORE THIS DARK WOULD FALLAT NIGHT I

WOULD PRAY THIS

THEN WONDER IF GOD HEARD AT ALLFOR 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

TRYI HAVE TRIED

TO PRETEND THAT I DON'T CAREBUT THEN

SLEEP ARRIVESAND IN EVERY DREAM I FIND YOU THERE

BUT I DON'T WANT THE PAST TO BE MY LIFEAND I DON'T WANT TO LIVE INSIDE THE NIGHT

BUT I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR SHADOW FADESO I SLEEP AND I DREAM

THOUGH I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT

I WANTEDTO SAY THIS

LONG BEFORE THIS DARK WOULD FALLAT NIGHT I

WOULD PRAY THIS

THEN WONDER IF GOD HEARD AT ALLFOR THE CHANCES I'VE HAD ARE NOW LONG GONE

AND THAT STAR IS NO LONGER WISHED UPONFOR 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 DAYWHEN YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU REGRET

WHAT YOU CAN'T RECLAIM BUT YOU CAN'T FORGETIF I COULD JUST FALL BACK INTO MY LIFEAND 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 herealizes what might have been. To ease the pain of his regret, Fate then shows him glimpses ofthe future and the countless musicians who will be inspired by, and build upon the legacy of hismusic. She then allows him a final vision; a vision in which he improvises with musicians fromthe past by whom he was inspired , as well as musicians from the future, who will be inspired

by him.


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A LAST ILLUSION

(GHOSTS)

PRIUSQUAM PRAESENSDAMNATUS SALVENS:

HIC HOMO NESCIENS.QUAE FUTURA EST?

EST PLANE VANUM?MAGNIFICANDUM?

ERROR AUT SANUM?O FORTUNA EST!

QUA?

THE PAST AND PRESENTLOSS AND REDEMPTION

A MAN'S INTENTIONSALL THINGS YET TO BE

A LAST ILLUSIONTIME'S ABSOLUTION

FACT AND CONFUSIONFATE AND DESTINY BOUND

Fate allows him to see some of the countless people who will be touched, consoled andtransformed by his music; a woman who has lost her husband and finds peace in listening tothe Pastoral Symphony, a child who is crippled forgetting his infirmity while lost in the Ode ToJoy.

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 heconsiders his finest work. Change one thing and he changes it all.

THIS IS WHO YOU ARE

( BEETHOVEN )

SOMETIMESSLOWLY

TIME BRINGS REVELATION

WAITING

SOFTLYFOR SOMEONE TO BELIEVE

THAT THE GHOSTS WE'VE HIDDEN OR LEFT TO DIEHAVE NOW ARISEN AND WILL ARRIVE

TO SAY WHAT HAS HAPPENEDSAY WHAT HAS HAPPENEDSAY WHAT HAS HAPPENED

TO ME

AND WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHTTHAT YOU'D BE THE ONE

THAT I WOULD HAVE FOUND HERE WAITING


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LOST IN THIS NIGHTUNTIL YOU ARRIVED

AND ALWAYS TOO BLIND TO SEE

AND WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHTTHAT AFTER THIS TIME

THAT I'D BE THE ONE YOU'RE SAVING

NOW UNDISGUISEDTHE GHOSTS THAT SURVIVE

NOW SAY WHAT WAS MEANT TO BE

I NEVER WANTED TO GIVE MY LIFE AWAYWHO EVER THOUGHT IT WOULD MATTER ANY WAY

WANDERING INSIDE THIS NIGHTFINDING PIECES OF A LIFE

NEVER SURE I'D EVER KNOW WHAT IT MEANS

IT'S THE STRANGERS IN YOUR LIFETHAT YOU'D NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D MEET

IT'S THE HAND THAT PICKED YOU UPWHEN YOU'RE LAYING IN THE STREET

IT'S THE HAND THAT CUT YOU DOWNIT'S THE DREAM THAT SOMEONE SHARED

WHEN YOU THOUGHT THAT ALL WAS LOSTIT'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 YOUFOR THIS IS WHO YOU ARE

CHANGE ONE NOTECHANGE ONE LINE

NOTHING'S GOING TO BE THE SAMECHANGE ONE LOSSCHANGE ONE CUT

EVERYTHING IS RE-ARRANGED

EVERY ACTCRUEL OR KIND

LOST INSIDE OUR MEMORY

IF YOU LOOKTHERE IN TIME

YOU'LL FIND IT INFIND IT INFIND IT IN

YOU'LL FIND IT IN ME

BEETHOVEN

(Instrumental)

Once more back in 1827 Vienna, he tells Fate that he would not change a thing from his pastand risk losing the music. The music is who he is, the reason for his existence. Also, having seen


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the influence of his music on so many lives, he knows that he could never give the music toMephistopheles. Still, he does not wish to lose his soul. Desperately he ponders his dilemma.

MEPHISTOPHELES' RETURN

(BEETHOVEN)

IN EVERY LIFEIT HAS BEEN SAID

THERE COMES A TIME TO JOIN THE DEADADMIT THERE IS NO SECOND CHANCEAND JOIN DEATH IN A FINAL DANCE

ACROSS THE FLOOR ETERNITYUNTIL THE FINAL MOMENTS BLED

AND IN THE DARK TO TAKE HIS HANDACCEPT THAT IT IS TIME TO WED

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M THINKINGBECAUSE ALL THAT I SEEIS HIS FACE GRINNING

MEPHISTOPHELES

I NEED TO FIND AN ANSWERFOR THIS ONE CAN NOT BE

WITHIN THE WORDS OF MEPHISTOPHEL...

( TOWARDS TWIST )

TELL ME WHAT YOU THINKTELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW

DID YOU REALLY THINKTHAT THERE WOULD BE AN EVER AFTER

DO YOU THINK I'M SCARED

TELL ME DOES IT SHOWWHEN INSIDE THIS DEAFNESS

I CAN ALWAYS HEAR HIS WHISPERING

( TOWARDS GHOSTS )

THERE COMES A TIME YOU DECIDEWHAT FROM YOUR LIFE WILL BE REAL

WHAT SCARS YOU WILL KEEP ALIVEWHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO HEAL

BUT CAN I GAMBLE THIS NIGHTWITH EVERYTHING THAT I AM

AND CAN I ERASE MY LIFEOR DO I STAY HERE AND BE DAMNED

( TOWARDS TWIST )


DID YOU REALLY THINK

THAT THERE WOULD BE AN EVER AFTER


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DO YOU THINK I'M SCAREDTELL ME DOES IT SHOW

WHEN INSIDE THIS DEAFNESSI CAN ALWAYS HEAR HIS LAUGHTER

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M THINKING

BECAUSE ALL THAT I SEEIS HIS FACE GRINNING

MEPHISTOPHELES

I NEED TO FIND AN ANSWERFOR THIS ONE CAN NOT BE

WITHIN THE WORDS OF MEPHISTOPHELES

I

DON'T NEED THIS PATH BEFORE MEDON'T NEED FORGOTTEN GLORY

DON'T NEED THESE THREATS OF VIOLENCE

DON'T NEED ETERNAL SILENCE

DON'T NEED THESE MIDNIGHT VISIONSDON'T NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS

DON'T NEED TO BE UNCERTAINDON'T NEED THIS FINAL CURTAIN

II

SOMEWHERE OUT THEREHE STILL GAZES

AS I WANDER THROUGH HIS MAZES

DEATH AND LIFE HERETRUTH OR LIES

EVERY THOUGHT IS WELL DISGUISED

III

NOWIT IS TOO LATE

THIS PATH TO TAKEDON'T WANT TO LOSE MY LIFE THIS WAY

MEDUSA DREAMSTHE DEAD STILL SCREAM

DON'T WANT TO SEE MY LIFE BETRAYED

IV

ALL THESE THINGS ARE NOW BEFORE MEENDLESS DEATH OR TIMELESS GLORY

ON THIS NIGHT OF GHOSTS RETURNINGTO THE LIGHT OF BRIDGES BURNING

NOW IT IS TOO LATETHIS PATH TO TAKE

DON'T WANT TO SEE MY LIFE BE...( TRAYED )


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( TOWARDS TWIST )


DID YOU REALLY THINKTHAT THERE WOULD BE AN EVER AFTER

DO YOU THINK I'M SCAREDTELL ME DOES IT SHOW

WHEN INSIDE THIS DEAFNESSI CAN ALWAYS HEAR HIS LAUGHTER

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M THINKINGBECAUSE ALL THAT I SEE

IS HIS FACE GRINNINGMEPHISTOPHELES

I NEED TO FIND AN ANSWERFOR THIS ONE CANNOT BE

WITHIN THE WORDS OF MEPHISTOPHELES

THE COST OF PATIENCEWHEN THERE'S NO TIME BEFORE ME

OF HESITATIONALL FOR THIS TWISTED GLORY

AND MY SALVATION

THE COST OF HOW IT'S GOTTENTHE COST OF WHAT'S GAINED

ALL FORGOTTENALL FORGOTTEN

When Mephistopheles returns to find his offer refused, he quickly replaces it with another. IfBeethoven will only give him the un-released Tenth Symphony (which no one else has heard, sohe reasons it will never be missed) he will return the maestro's soul. Beethoven agonizes oncemore. The ghost of Mozart appears and tells him that it is the greatest musical piece evercreated; it is the voice of God, and he cannot allow it to be destroyed. As the apparition ofMozart 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 througha window to a child sleeping in the gutter. He tells the old man that he owns this child's life andin great detail lists all the horrors and suffering that she will experience in her short existence.

MISERY

( MEPHISTOPHELES )

THERE IS A CHILD AND SHE SLEEPS IN THE GUTTERDON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SHE'S EASY TO SEE

SHE IS NOT YOUR CHILDSHE'S ALWAYS ANOTHER'S

AND THOSE YOU ABANDONTHEY ARE LEFT TO ME

AND KNOW I WILL IMPALE HER LIKE A KNIFELEAVE HER TWISTING DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY OF A VERY SHORT LIFE WITH ME


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LISTEN NOW CLOSELY AND HEAR HOW I'VE PLANNED ITPLEASE LET ME TELL YOU JUST HOW IT WILL BE

SHE'LL FEEL THE PAIN BUT SHE WON'T UNDERSTAND ITSHE'LL THINK IT'S HER FATE

BUT WE'LL KNOW IT'S ME

AND KNOW I WILL IMPALE HER LIKE A KNIFELEAVE HER TWISTING DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY OF A VERY SHORT LIFE

WITH ME

SO LET ME KNOWHAVE I BEEN CLEAR

THAT I WILL MAGNIFY EACH CUT AND EVERY BRUISE AND EVERY SINGLE CHILDHOOD TEAR

I'LL PICK HER SCABSCRIPPLE A HAND

PUSH A FINGER IN EACH WOUND I MAKENOW TELL ME THEN

DO YOU UNDERSTANDYOU UNDERSTAND?YOU UNDERSTAND

YOU UNDERSTAND?YOU UNDERSTAND

AND KNOW I WILL IMPALE HER LIKE A KNIFELEAVE 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 allclaims 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 wordcan leave his lips he finds himself looking back out the window. He tries to convince himselfthat the child means nothing to him, especially when compared to the Tenth Symphony. Butwith every word disclaiming her, she digs deeper and deeper into his soul.

WHO IS THIS CHILD

( BEETHOVEN )

WHO IS THIS CHILD

THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFOREWHO IS THIS CHILD

THAT I'VE NOT SEEN TILL THIS DAY

WHO DARES TO FALL ASLEEPOUTSIDE MY DOOR

IF WE SHOULD WAIT AWHILEI'M SURE SHE'LL GO AWAY

TO BE INVOLVED WITH THISWOULD SURELY NOT BE WISE

FOR IN THE FINAL WORDSHE MEANS NOTHING TO ME


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I LEARNED THE TRICK ISTHAT WE JUST AVOID HER EYES

AND THE QUESTIONWHAT SHE MEANS TO ...

WHAT IS THIS LIFE

THERE WILL BE OTHER LIVESSOON TO ARRIVE

SURELY SOME WILL SURVIVESHE IS BUT ONE

AND THERE ARE MANY MOREEACH THE SAME AS ANY OTHER

WHO IS THIS CHILDWHAT DOES SHE MEAN TO ME

I CLOSE MY EYES

AND STILL HER FACE I SEESHE IS BUT ONE

HER KIND IS EVERYWHERE

CAN'T YOU SEE THERE'S NO WAY I SHOULD CARE

I NEED A MOMENT NOWI HAVE TO CLEAR MY MIND

THERE IS A LIMIT LORDJUST TO BEING KIND

THERE IS NO WAY IN LIFETHAT EACH CHILD CAN BE SAVED

SHOULD I BE LOOKING WITH REGRETAT EVERY GRAVE

THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES

IN LIFE SHE SHOULD BE WARNEDI'M NOT RESPONSIBLE FORTHIS CHILD BEING BORN

I'M NOT RESPONSIBLEIN ANY KIND OF WAY

FOR EVERY CHILD THAT LIFE CAN GATHER

WHAT IS THIS LIFETHERE WILL BE OTHER LIVES

SOON TO ARRIVESURELY SOME WILL SURVIVE

SHE IS BUT ONEAND THERE ARE MANY MORE

COULD THIS ONE LIFE REALLY MATTER

WHO IS THIS CHILD

WHAT DOES SHE MEAN TO MEI CLOSE MY EYES

AND STILL HER FACE I SEESHE IS BUT ONE

HER KIND IS EVERYWHERECAN'T YOU SEE THERE'S NO WAY I SHOULD CARE

CAN YOU SEE IT IN THE NIGHTCAN YOU FEEL THAT IT'S OUT THERE


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IT'S THE ARCING OF A LIFEAND IT'S HANGING IN THE AIR

THOUGH I TRY TO CLOSE MY EYESAND PRETEND THAT I DON'T KNOW

IN MY HEART

I JUST CAN'T LET IT GO

THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY FOR MEA WAY THAT LEADS FROM THIS INSANITY

A WAY THAT LEADS FROM MY DESTRUCTION IN THIS WAY

CAN YOU SEE IT IN THE NIGHTCAN YOU FEEL THAT IT'S OUT THERE

IT'S THE ARCING OF A LIFEAND IT'S HANGING IN THE AIR

THOUGH I TRY TO CLOSE MY EYESAND PRETEND THAT I DON'T KNOW

IN MY HEARTI JUST CAN'T LET IT GO

Despite his best efforts he cannot bring himself to leave the child to this evil, and collapsing onthe piano bench, he tells the devil that he has a deal. Beethoven is now a totally broken man asthe 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 whosneaks over and whispers in Ludwig's ear, "How do you know that Mephistopheles will keephis word?" Beethoven sits up and repeats the question aloud. Mephistopheles, never looking upfrom examining his prize, replies that Beethoven can draw up his own wording for a contractthat they will write on a page torn from the back of a bible. Beethoven glances questioninglytowards Fate who is still watching from the background. She nods her head for even theshadows know that a contract written on such sacred paper is unbreakable, even by the devilhimself.

Beethoven, totally exhausted, mutters his consent but is unable to write the words that willbring about the destruction of his beloved Tenth. Fate, sensing his dilemma, offers to writedown the agreement for him and he hands the paper to her. As he stares out the window. Fatewrites.

It is agreed upon this night, March 26, 1827, between the undersigned, that the music of theTenth 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 ofDarkness and first fallen from the grace of God. It is also understood that it is his intention toremove any signs of this music from the memory of man for all eternity. In exchange for thedestruction of the aforementioned music it is also agreed that Mephistopheles and all hisminions will remove themselves from the life of the child presently sleeping in the gutterdirectly across from the window of this room. This removal of influence is to be commencedimmediately upon signing and to be enforced for all eternity.

_____________________Ludwig Von Beethoven

_____________________Mephistopheles


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beethoven´s last night dramma

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