On the occasion of its 200th anniversary, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is played simultaneously in four cities closely linked to the composer’s life and work: Leipzig, Paris, Milan and Vienna. Each concert is recorded live, and each movement of the symphony is broadcast from a different city.

Conducted by Andris Nelsons, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra starts with the first movement. The second movement then resounds within the walls of the Philharmonie de Paris, with the Orchestre de Paris and Klaus Mäkelä. The third movement is performed by the Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan under the baton of Riccardo Chailly. The fourth and final movement, dedicated to the theme of understanding between peoples with the famous Ode to Joy, is performed by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Joana Mallwitz, in the city where the symphony was first performed.