Beethoven's 'Symphony No. 9' Takes Out The ABC Classic 100

It’s been a big weekend on ABC Classic, with Ludwig van Beethoven reigning supreme once more as the station counted down its ABC Classic 100: Greatest Of All Time countdown.

Having been revealed almost annually since 2001, the ABC Classic 100 operates in much the same way as triple j‘s annual Hottest 100 poll, except with classical music.

Each year features a different theme, and after Beethoven took out the top spot in both 2024's Feel Good and 2025's Piano poll, he's once more hit the No. 1 position.

That top spot was thanks to his famed Symphony No. 9, which was originally premiered in 1824 and has become one of the most highly-regarded compositions in musical history.

Notably, this is the fifth time the piece has topped a Classic 100, having previously done so 2010, 2016, 2020, and 2024. Of course, the 2020 poll was specifically focused on the composer, so this should have come as no surprise.

Beethoven also hit the second spot with Piano Concerto No. 5, with Gustav Holt's The Planets in third spot. Ralph Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending hit No. 4, while George Frideric Handel's Messiah rounded out the top five.

Marking the 50th anniversary of ABC Classic, 187,000 votes were tallied in the poll which saw Beethoven appear for a total of eight times across the board.

Additionally, ten entries in the countdown were from Australian composers including Peter Sculthorpe, Elena Kats-Chernin, and Nigel Westlake & Lior, along with celebrated First Nations artists William Barton and Gurrumul.

“Beethoven’s Ninth coming in at #1 is no surprise,” said ABC Classic Breakfast presenter Megan Burslem. “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.“

“In this ABC Classic 100, we saw the depth and breadth of the classical music audience in this country. We have great taste in our little corner of the world, but I'm especially proud of the new Australian classical music in the mix.

“We heard from listeners who have just discovered one or two classical music pieces, to voters who have adored classical music for a lifetime,” Burslem added. “That in itself shows that great art, art that tells our stories, will always be great no matter if it was created yesterday or in the 12th century."

A small-screen celebration will also hit the screens on Saturday, June 27th at 7:30pm, with ABC TV and ABC iview seeing Burslem and Jeremy Fernandez host an event showcasing highlights from the poll, featuring the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Northey.

View the top ten below, and head to the ABC Classic website for the full list of 100 pieces.