Beethoven, Choral fantasie in C minor

"The Fantasia op. 80 (or “Choral Fantasy”) was first performed at the Akademie (benefit concert) of 22 December 1808, which also saw the premières of the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies as well as a performance of portion of the C major Mass. To conclude this memorable concert program, Beethoven wanted a “brilliant Finale” that would unite in a single piece the different musical elements highlighted in the concert night: piano solo, chorus and orchestra. The Fantasia op. 80, written shortly prior, was thus written expressly to fulfill this role.

Beethoven himself played the piano part and the opening solo offers an example of his improvisational style (at the première he did, in fact, improvise this section). The piece, however, is best known for an early version of that simplice theme that Beethoven would later use as the melodic line for the Ode to Joy theme in the Ninth Symphony. The text was provided by the poet Christoph Kuffner with Beethoven's input. The theme – universal fraternity with the meetings of arts – also foreshadows Schiller's "Ode to Joy". This, along with the strong musical similarities, means there is an obvious connection between the Fantasia op. 80 with the finale of the 9th Symphony (...)." (http://hr.cantorion.org/music/1853/Choral_Fantasy_in_C_minor_Full_Score)

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