Beethoven's "___ to Joy"

ODE

["Think of a poetic term that could precede \"to Joy.\""]

The clue "Beethoven's '___ to Joy'" leads to the answer "ODE" through a direct cultural reference. Ludwig van Beethoven composed a famous piece known as "Ode to Joy," which is the fourth movement of his Ninth Symphony. The clue uses the phrase "___ to Joy" to indicate that the missing word is the title of Beethoven's well-known work. Therefore, filling in the blank with "ODE" completes the familiar title "Ode to Joy," making it the correct answer to the clue.