Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

[Florestan]

the theological level of the ode doesn't feel higher than a gathering of drunkards might come up with.

He, he, exactly.  We're all drunk, ergo we're all brothers whose sins have been washed away by beer. Tochter aus Elysium Waitress of the "The Elysium" Pub, another round here! 

[prémont]

He, he, exactly.  We're all drunk, ergo we're all brothers whose sins have been washed away by beer. Tochter aus Elysium Waitress of the "The Elysium" Pub, another round here! 

Spot on.

Was Beethoven's music to the ode just meant in a humorous and ironic way. And how to combine it with the expression of the preceding movements?

[Cato]

Wow!

How long did you stretch out 'O Freunde'? 

Probably not very. I only ever performed this solo once, and was nervous. Never got any negative feedback so hopefully it wasn't rushed. 

In the early 1960's I listened to a performance for the first time, in which "Freunde" was pronounced "Fraaay-uuuun-de." 

At the time I did not know German.  When I listened to other performances, I wondered about that initial experience, and years later, when I was learning German, I really wondered about it!   

Unfortunately, the recording has faded from my memory!

[LKB]

...Unfortunately, the recording has faded from my memory!

Based on your description, I'd call that a win. 

[Madiel]

In academia it can be very important to produce original research.

Unfortunately, in certain fields this does not come with any solid requirement to be correct at the same time.