DIVE IN!
It’s hard to imagine a more generally well known composer or piece of classical music than Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) and his 5th Symphony. It is a piece of music that has stood as a monument to the grit and innate creativity of human culture, and with good reason. Enjoy learning a bit about this piece and listening to the Colorado Symphony’s performance.
HIGHLIGHTS
Beethoven composed Symphony No. 5 between 1804 and 1808, working on it primarily after 1807. He paused it to complete Symphony No. 4, and finished it while working on Symphony No. 6. It lasts approximately 35 minutes and is constructed in a typical 4 movement structure.
Often referred as the “Fate Symphony”, Symphony No. 5 premiered in a marathon 4 hour all Beethoven concert that included the premiere of the 6th symphony, 3 movements of the Mass in C, the 4th piano concerto, and the Choral Fantasy. Oh to have official merch from that event!
The symphony is referenced in numerous pop culture sources but possibly none so completely random as “Beethoven’s 5th”, a direct to video family movie featuring dog actor J.S. Barque as the title character.
Ludwig van Beethoven was an admirer of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the opening of the 3rd movement of Symphony No. 5 Beethoven quoted the first 9 notes of the final movement of Mozart’s 40th Symphony. Whew! That’s a lot of words for “Beethoven sampled some Mozart in Symphony No. 5”.
Beethoven’s score calls for 2 flutes and piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons and contrabassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones and bass trombone, timpani, and the usual string section of violins, violas, cellos, and basses. Notably, this is the first symphony EVER to include trombones, contrabassoon, and the dazzling piccolo!
RESOURCES
A live performance recording of the full symphony
LISTENING MAP
Movement 1: Allegro con brio (in English: Quick with vigor)
This music is the most recognizable, especially for the opening da-da-da-DAH gesture. This short simple statement, often referred to as the “fate motive” becomes a major motive and a unifying element in the entire symphony. Listen for the myriad ways Beethoven develops those notes and that rhythm into different shapes, lengths, and expressions.
Movement 2: Andante con moto (in English: Walking pace, with movement)
This music has two themes, introduced right away in the lower strings, which then spin variations throughout the movement. It sounds like a piece of woven textile art, becoming more and more complex and interconnected as it goes.
Movement 3: Scherzo: Allegro (in English: Playful: Quick)
This music is in a three part structure, where the outer parts are similar and in contrast to the middle section. It’s based on an older Minuet and Trio form established by FJ Haydn. Listen for the “fate motive” from the first movement as it appears in the French horns in this Scherzo.
Movement 4: Allegro - Presto (in English: Ending. Quick - Fast)
This movement is in C major rather than following the convention of finishing in the same key (in this case C minor) as the start of the work. It is a rather triumphant sounding and very grounding way to finish. In Beethoven’s own words, “Many assert that every minor piece must end in the minor. Nego! [I deny!] …Joy follows sorrow, sunshine—rain.”
Nerd Assignments
CONSIDER AND DISCUSS:
Beethoven nicknamed or inscribed his 3rd and 6th symphonies (Eroica, Pastorale) but left no written indications of a particular inspiration for his 5th. The 5th has a peculiar way of not only engaging a listener but grabbing them and going straight to the heart of something intensely personal. Essentially, people find what they want to in this symphony. Noted author, musician, and critic E.T.A. Hoffmann wrote “How this wonderful composition, in a climax that climbs on and on, leads the listener imperiously forward into the spirit world of the infinite!” Romantic era composer Hector Berlioz remarked that the 5th “emanates directly and solely from the genius of Beethoven. It is his own intimate thought that is developed; and his secret sorrows, his pent-up rage, his dreams so full of melancholy oppression, his nocturnal visions and his bursts of enthusiasm furnish its entire subject, while the melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, and orchestral forms are there delineated with essential novelty and individuality, endowing them also with considerable power and nobility.” And due to an assertion by Beethoven’s assistant that the opening rhythmic figure is ‘fate knocking at the door’ many people refer to it as the Fate Symphony and believe it is a triumphant blast against his worsening deafness.
What do you experience and personally connect to when you listen to Symphony No. 5? What elements of the music support these observations?
TRY - Developing an Idea
In Symphony No. 5, Beethoven started with a very short idea of just 2 notes and a simple rhythm but by changing - or developing - his idea he made a whole symphony out of it!
The development of an idea is a little like a game of Telephone. The original idea changes bit by bit until it may be only marginally recognizable by the end. Musical ideas can be changed or developed in lots of different ways including changing the tempo (speed), dynamics (volume), pitch, or rhythm. You can also repeat it, turn it upside down or inside out, or even make it go backwards. Try it yourself!
Sing or play a 5 (ish!) note idea. Write it down if possible.
Alter it by just one element from the list of ways above. Sing or play the new version and compare it to the original. Make any changes or edits.
Repeat this process and re-order your new versions as you like.
Voila! (not viola…🤓) You’ve composed and developed an original idea, just like Beethoven did!
LISTENING:
Now that you’ve had a chance to consider, discuss, and get active around Beethoven’s 5th Symphony it’s time to listen. There are all sorts of ways to engage as a listener. A live music experience is pretty exciting. Try listening to it at home as well, where you can sing/hum/whistle along, move and dance, journal or draw what you hear, or just turn the volume WAY up and listen for sheer pleasure!
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