A work traditionally performed in Germany at New Year's, Beethoven's Ninth is an iconic piece famous for the choral finale with the "Ode to Joy" set to a poem by Friedrich Schiller.

A hymn to the brotherhood of man, it was a radical departure in the art of symphonic composition - and a work of significant personal relevance in the life and work of Kurt Masur. This performance concludes our series of Beethoven symphonies under his direction.

In this edition:

Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, op. 125 with final chorus on Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy"

Birgit Remmert, mezzo-soprano
Pavol Breslik, tenor
Hanno Mueller-Brachmann, bass-baritone
Munich Philharmonic Chorus
Dresden Philharmonic
Conductor: Kurt Masur

Recorded by DW in the Gasteig Philharmonic Hall in Munich on December 11, 2012.