Beethoven’s 5th Symphony

Beethoven took a long time writing his 5th symphony, beginning in 1804 and not completing it until 1808.

It was written during a troubling time in Beethoven’s life (going deaf, unrequited love, bombardment of Vienna by Napoleon) and seems to have gone through many re-writes. (Fate knocking)

Beethoven’s 5th Symphony

It was first performed during a concert of Beethoven’s works conducted by Beethoven himself on Dec. 1808.

The concert did not go well. The auditorium was very cold and the concert lasted more than 4 hours. The orchestra did not play well because they had only practiced the new pieces once, and Beethoven even had to stop in the middle of a song to fix a mistake.

It has since become the most famous symphony ever written and “one of the most important works of all time.” (E. T. A. Hoffman)

It inspired works by later composers (including Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Bruckner, Mahler, and Berlioz) and is played more than any other symphony written.

Structure of the 5th

Beethoven’s 5th had a few major innovations on the typical Classical symphony that were copied by later composers.

1. The 3rd movement is much faster than typical minuet & trio’s and has a sinister quality. This is now called a “Scherzo.”

2. The 1st and 4th movements are in sonata form, but they stretch and break rules a lot.

3. Much of the 1st movement’s notes in the two themes and accompaniment parts are derived from the first four notes of the piece. The four notes are known as a musical “Motive.”

Definitions to Know

Scherzo – sometimes replaced the Minuet & Trio in the 3rd movement in pieces in the Romantic period. It is faster and more sinister than Minuet & Trio’s.

Motive – A short musical phrase that is used and developed (changed) throughout a musical work.

Listening AssignmentCopy down the chart below. Then fill in the emotion and any interesting things that happen for each section and say if the motive was played in that section.

Section Emotion/Interesting Things Motive? (Y/N)

Theme 1(0-:50 & 1:30-2:15)

Theme 2(:50-1:30 & 2:15-3:00)

Development (3:00-4:15)

Theme 1 (Recap)(4:15-5:15)

Theme 2 (Recap)(5:15-5:50)

Coda/Development II? (5:50-7:20)

Graphic: http://youtu.be/rRgXUFnfKIY PDQ Bach: http://youtu.be/MzXoVo16pTg Dudamel: http://youtu.be/22wEhOdfAfA