The anthem symbolises not only the European Union but also Europe in a wider sense. The poem "Ode to Joy" expresses Schiller's idealistic vision of the human race becoming brothers - a vision Beethoven shared.
In 1972, the Council of Europe adopted Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" theme as its anthem. In 1985, it was adopted by EU leaders as the official anthem of the European Union. Without words, in the universal language of music, this anthem expresses the European ideals of freedom, peace and solidarity.
The European anthem is not intended to replace the national anthems of the EU countries but rather to celebrate the values they share.
Listen to the European Anthem
[5 MB] (02:07)The anthem is performed by the European Union Youth Wind Orchestra conducted by André Reichling. It was recorded in 1994 at the Teatro da Trindade, Lisbon. Musical arrangement by Herbert von Karajan.*
*All rights of the producer and owner of the work reproduced reserved.
