Ludwig van Beethoven : Symphony No. 9 D Minor (Ode to Joy) vocal score

One of the reasons Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” is so memorable is that the melody initially seems almost song-like in its simplicity and is only later expanded into a monumental piece by the choir and orchestra. It is also striking that the famous opening of the theme consists mainly of small intervals, making the melody easy to sing along to while still evoking a sense of solemn grandeur.