Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 has once again been crowned Australia’s favourite classical work, claiming the top spot in ABC Classic’s Classic 100: Greatest of All Time countdown.

The composer’s monumental “Choral” Symphony, featuring the famous “Ode to Joy” finale, secured the number one ranking for the fifth time in the history of the poll, following more than 187,000 votes cast by listeners.

Beethoven also dominated the broader countdown, with eight works featured in the Top 100. His Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor” placed second, while Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets rounded out the top three.

The 2026 countdown marked ABC Classic’s 50th anniversary and has become one of the most popular editions of the annual event in its 25-year history.

ABC Classic Breakfast presenter Megan Burslem said Beethoven’s Ninth continued to resonate because of its message of hope and unity.

“Beethoven’s Ninth coming in at number one is no surprise,” she said. “This is music of togetherness. It’s about rising up against destruction and division to prove that joy, love and the bond of humanity is and always will be the antidote.”

Australian composers were strongly represented, with 10 works by local creators making the chart, including pieces by Peter Sculthorpe, Elena Kats-Chernin and Nigel Westlake and Lior, alongside works by First Nations artists William Barton and Gurrumul.

Almost one-fifth of the countdown comprised works by living composers. Film composer John Williams was the most successful among them, with five entries, placing him behind only Mozart, who had six works in the chart, and Beethoven.

The Top 10 also included Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, Handel’s Messiah, Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Bach’s Cello Suites, Mozart’s Requiem and Barber’s Adagio for Strings.

A television special celebrating the countdown will air on ABC TV and ABC iview on 27 June, featuring the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Northey.