| Choral Fantasy | |
|---|---|
| by Ludwig van Beethoven | |
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Beethoven_3.jpg) Detail of a 1804–05 portrait of Beethoven by J. W. Mähler | |
| Native name | Fantasia |
| Key | C minor, modulating to C major |
| Opus | 80 |
| Language | German |
| Composed | 1808 |
| Duration | About 20 minutes |
| Scoring |
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| Premiere | |
| Date | 22 December 1808 |
| Location | Theater an der Wien, Vienna |
| Performers | Ludwig van Beethoven (piano) |
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. 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.