This page is under construction.

Beethoven:
Choral Fantasy
& Symphony No. 9

The Evolution of Beethoven’s Choral Symphony

A study of Beethoven’s only two large-scale secular works for chorus and orchestra, examining the relationship between the experimental Choral Fantasy, Op. 80, and the monumental Ninth Symphony, Op. 125.

---

Did Choral Fantasy serve as Beethoven’s prototype for the choral finale of the Ninth Symphony?

---

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

MOVEMENT I
Sonata Form

EXPOSITION

First Subject
Shimmering Strings → Primordial Murmurings → Surprising Key Change →

Second Subject
Opening Cantabile → Stormy Scales → Contrasting Phrases → Key Change →

DEVELOPMENT

Reworking of the Main Theme → Triple Fugue → Beautiful Cantabile →
Minor Reworking of the Main Theme of the Second Subject →
Transition to the Recapitulation →

RECAPITULATION

Second Subject Shift to Minor →

CODA

New Theme

---

MOVEMENT II
Scherzo Form (Scherzo → Trio → Scherzo)

INTRODUCTION

Reoccurring Rhythmic Figure →

EXPOSITION

Main Theme in Tutti →

RECAPITULATION

Transition →

MOVEMENT III
Set of Variations on Two Alternating Themes

MOVEMENT IV
Choral Finale

---

Recommended Reading