Choral fantasy op 80 beethoven music

Musical composition by Ludwig van Beethoven

The Fantasy for piano, vocal soloists, mixed chorus, and orchestra, Op. 80, usually called the Choral Fantasy, was composed in 1808 by then 38-year-old Ludwig van Beethoven.

Beethoven intended the Fantasy to serve as the concluding work for the benefit concert he put on for himself on 22 December 1808; the performers consisted of vocal soloists, mixed chorus, an orchestra, and Beethoven himself as piano soloist.

Choral fantasy op 80 beethoven music

The Fantasy was designed to include all the participants in the program and thus unites all of these musical forces.

The work is noted as a precursor to the later Ninth Symphony.

Background, composition, and premiere

The Fantasia was first performed at the Akademie of 22 December 1808, a benefit concert which also saw the premieres of the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies and the Fourth Piano Concerto as well as a performance of excerpts of the Mass in C major.

To conclude this