This was the first Peanuts TV special of the 1970s, airing nearly a year and a half after "It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown." (The feature film "A Boy Named Charlie Brown" had been released in between the two specials.)
This was the first Peanuts TV special to focus on a character other than Charlie Brown or Snoopy.
This special was the first time someone other than Peter Robbins voiced Charlie Brown. (Chris Inglis took over the role.) The casting change was needed as Robbins' voice deepened after the previous special.
The majority of musical numbers heard and played by Schroeder consist of works composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, as mentioned several times by different characters. These consist of eight different piano sonatas and one symphony.