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A '''fantasia''' (also ''fancy'', ''fantasie'' and other variations according to the time, country and whim of the composer) is a piece of music that has no set form or style. As its name suggests each piece is directed more by the composer’s “fancy” or imagination than regard for any form or style. In its strictest sense, as suggested in Rousseau’s  ”''Dictionary of Music''” (1776), a fantasia exists only as long as it is being played during composition – once it is written down, or repeated, it ceases to be a "fantasy" and becomes whatever form it now is.

A '''fantasia''' (also ''fancy'', ''fantasie'' and other variations according to the time, country and whim of the composer) is a piece of music that has no set form or style. As its name suggests each piece is directed more by the composer’s “fancy” or imagination than regard for any form or style. In its strictest sense, as suggested in Rousseau’s  ”''Dictionary of Music''” (1776), a fantasia exists only as long as it is being played during composition – once it is written down, or repeated, it ceases to be a "fantasy" and becomes whatever form it now is.

Fantasias were written for the [[lute]] in many countries from the sixteenth century – [[John Dowland]] and other English composers up to [[Henry Purcell]] also wrote songs and [[consort]] music, much of it of a whimsical nature or of sweet love, that they called fantasias or fancies.

Fantasias were written for the [[lute]] in many countries from the sixteenth century – [[John Dowland]] and other English composers up to [[Henry Purcell]] also wrote songs and [[consort]] music, much of it of a whimsical nature or of sweet love, that they called fantasias or fancies.

Keyboard fantasias abound. [[J. S. Bach]] wrote examples for the organ and the famous “''Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue''” for domestic keyboard. Mozart’s piano fantasias are frequently performed, whilst [[Franz Schubert|Schubert’s]] “''Wanderer-Fantasie''” is one of the great works for the instrument. [[Beethoven]]’s two Opus 27 piano sonatas, marked “''quasi una fantasia''”, include the famous “''Moonlight''” and his “''Choral Fantasy''”, for piano, choir, and orchestra is considered by some as “practise” for the great "Choral Symphony" (No.9). [[Chopin]], Robert Schumann|Schumann and [[Brahms]] are the three main Romantic era composers to have  written piano fantasias.

Keyboard fantasias abound. [[J. S. Bach]] wrote examples for the organ and the famous “''Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue''” for domestic keyboard. Mozart’s piano fantasias are frequently performed, whilst [[Franz Schubert|Schubert’s]] “''Wanderer-Fantasie''” is one of the great works for the instrument. [[Beethoven]]’s two Opus 27 piano sonatas, marked “''quasi una fantasia''”, include the famous “''Moonlight''” and his “''Choral Fantasy''”, for piano, choir, and orchestra is considered by some as “practice” for the great "Choral Symphony" (No.9). [[Chopin]], [[Robert Schumann|Schumann]] and [[Brahms]] are the three main Romantic era composers to have  written piano fantasias.

Robert Schumann had a liking for what he called "''phantasiestüche''" (fantasy pieces, or works, or even "fantasy pictures") and there exist chamber pieces for various combinations of instruments under this name by this most romantic of composers.

Robert Schumann had a liking for what he called "''phantasiestüche''" (fantasy pieces, or works, or even "fantasy pictures") and there exist chamber pieces for various combinations of instruments under this name by this most romantic of composers.

'''"Fantasia"''' is also the name of a [[Walt Disney]] animated feature film, illustrating the glories of various pieces of classical music, and mainly remembered for Mickey Mouse as Paul Dukas' "''Sorcerer's Apprentice''".

'''"Fantasia"''' is also the name of a [[Walt Disney]] animated feature film, illustrating the glories of various pieces of classical music, and mainly remembered for Mickey Mouse as Paul Dukas' "''Sorcerer's Apprentice''".

[[Category: Musical terms]]

[[Category: Musical terms]]