- Published: December 17, 2021
- Updated: December 17, 2021
- University / College: New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University
- Language: English
- Downloads: 11
This symphony represents triumph over adversity. This was Beethoven’s’ first symphony in a minor key. Although he was working on other pieces as well, which were symphony No. 6 and Piano Concerto No. 4, Symphony No. 5 had preference and premiered at a famous concert on December 22, 1808.
This symphony became popular throughout the culture and is now commonly used at inaugural concerts of new orchestras. This symphony became associated with victory during WWII. Beethoven was suffering from hearing loss and he once stated that he would “ seize fate by the throat; it shall not bend or crush me completely”, which was what he did. The reason why this symphony is remarkable is because of the compelling energy from the first four notes. The rhythm alone drives the movement incessantly. Here Beethoven incorporated two alternate themes in the unexpected key of A-flat major which gives us a sense fear, while the second theme is hammered out by trumpets and drums. The last movement is a scherzo in a minor key and here we can hear the energetic trio in the bass parts.
The music then returns quietly and fragmented. Then near the end we can hear a long and mysterious crescendo which leads directly into the triumphant C march which will conclude the symphony. Throughout this symphony we can feel the progression of emotions starting from the opening of the symphony in C minor to its triumphant ending in C-major coda. I heard the symphony No. 5 in C minor, op. 67- I. Allegro con brio, II. Andante con moto, III.
Allegro and IV. Finale: Allegro-Presto. I personally preferred II.
Andante con moto because of its slowly crescendo. This slow tempo made me feel more soothing which I really enjoyed. At the beginning of the first piece I. Allegro con brio it gave me a sense of suspense and fear, while III. Allegro seemed a bit happier it still provides a little suspense along with a sense of pride. IV: Allegro-Presto was the piece that provided and extraordinary of sense of triumph and pride along with a more happier tone than all of them.
