Choral symphony Choral symphony A choral symphony is a musical composition for orchestra, choir, and sometimes solo vocalists that, in its internal workings and overall musical architecture, adheres broadly to symphonic musical form. The term "choral symphony" in this context was coined by Hector Berlioz when he described his "Roméo et Juliette" as such in his five-paragraph introduction to that work. The direct antecedent for the choral symphony is Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Beethoven's Ninth incorporates part of the "Ode an die Freude" ("Ode to Joy"), a poem by Friedrich Schiller, with text sung by soloists and chorus in the last
Music of the Spheres (Doctor Who) 2009. The episode has live and pre-recorded components: the pre-recorded component takes place in the TARDIS; the live component is the "Doctor Who" Prom which took place during the episode's first transmission. Consequently, a major component of the episode is that it breaks the fourth wall: the Doctor (David Tennant) "converses" with the audience and conducts the orchestra to perform his symphony "Ode to the Universe". He is antagonised by the Graske (Jimmy Vee), who intends to cause mischief at the Prom. The beginning of the episode depicts the Tenth Doctor composing "Ode to the Universe": a symphony based on