The symphony, widely regarded as one of the great masterpieces of Western classical music and culminating in the Ode to Joy, was first performed in 1824 in Vienna, where the German composer lived and worked for most of his life.

The 200th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is being marked in Berlin’s State Library. The original score, annotated by Beethoven himself, is on display. The score was composed in 1824.

Ludwig van Beethoven first performed his Ninth Symphony in Vienna in 1824, and created a work for the ages. We look at what makes it so special.