The Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 was Beethoven's
final symphony which he completed in 1824. It is one of
the best-known works of the western classical
repertoire.
A distinguishing feature is the use of voices, this
being the first example by a major composer to so.
Hence the work is known as a choral symphony. It is in
the final movement that the voices appear, specifically
four soloists plus a chorus. The words are derived from
the poem "Ode to Joy" by Friedrich Schiller.