The Choral Fantasia
Item Number: 00-GB00417
Format: Book
Voicing: SATB
By Ludwig van Beethoven
Choral Fantasia, Op. 80—also known as the Choral Fantasy—is a monumental work for piano, vocal soloists, mixed chorus, and orchestra, composed in 1808 by a 38-year-old Ludwig van Beethoven.
Beethoven wrote the Fantasia as the grand finale of a benefit concert he organized for himself on December 22, 1808. Featuring Beethoven at the piano, along with vocal soloists, chorus, and full orchestra, the piece was conceived to bring together all the performers from the evening’s program. In doing so, it serves as a unifying culmination of the concert—blending piano, voice, and orchestral forces in a singular expression of musical triumph.