“Ode to Joy” is the celebrated choral finale of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, a groundbreaking work that introduced vocal soloists and choir into the symphonic form. Set to Friedrich Schiller’s poem celebrating universal brotherhood, freedom, and human unity, the movement unfolds from a simple, memorable melody into a monumental choral affirmation. Its message of joy, equality, and shared humanity has given the piece profound cultural and political significance beyond the concert hall. Today, “Ode to Joy” is one of the most recognizable melodies in Western music and serves as the official anthem of the European Union, symbolizing ideals of peace, solidarity, and hope.