Choral Fantasy, Op.80

Beethoven's Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra, composed late in 1808, is sometimes described as a prototype of the Symphony No.9. The first two thirds of the work could be described as a concert piece for piano solo and orchestra. Only after 400 measures does the chorus enter, with a tune that does bear some similarity to the renowned "Ode to Joy" - which was still 15 years in the future when this work was composed. This new large-format vocal score is a digitally enhanced reissue of the reduction prepared by the renowned pianist Xaver Scharwenka that was first issued by Breitkopf und Hartel, Leipzig in 1915. It actually doubles as a solo part and a vocal score and is an unusual dual-purpose score that works extremely well for rehearsals and performance. Matching full score and orchestral parts are also available from Serenissima Music (91166).