THE STORY BEHIND: Beethoven's Symphony No.5 (2024)

THE STORY BEHIND: Beethoven's Symphony No.5 (1)

On January 22, Bramwell Tovey and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will present Beethoven 5 with violinist Benjamin Beilman.

THE STORY BEHIND: Beethoven's Symphony No.5

Title: Symphony No.5, op.67, C minor

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Last time performed by the Rhode Island Philharmonic: Last performed March 5, 2017 with Larry Rachleff conducting. This piece is scored for two flutes, piccolo, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, contrabassoon, two horns, two trumpets, three trombones, timpani and strings.

The Story:

THE STORY BEHIND: Beethoven's Symphony No.5 (2)

Beethoven’s plans for a C Minor Symphony went as far back as 1804, four years before its completion. His sketchbook that year shows the famous first movement rhythmic idea and the earliest version of the Andante theme. Ludwig van Beethoven completed the Fifth in spring 1808 and it premiered at the famous all-Beethoven concert of December 22 of that year.

“Thus fate knocks at the door!” Beethoven reportedly declared as he pointed to the first measures of the symphony. However, the reporter was Anton Schindler, who had a vivid, Romantic imagination concerning details in Beethoven’s life. Whatever its meaning, though, the famous opening motive has become synonymous with Beethoven’s name, even among school children. The first notes are not a theme
per se, but a rhythmic motto ( . . . — ) that generates much of the opening movement and appears in some guise during each succeeding movement. The singing second theme is accompanied by the motto, and soon Beethoven is exploring various patterns and extensions of the motto. A short oboe solo momentarily suspends the rhythmic drive, but this only makes the remainder of the movement more exciting. It ends with something like an epilogue, necessarily long as a climax to all the excitement the music has built up.

Beethoven may not have been by nature a composer of melodies you can whistle, and his struggle through 14 different versions of this symphony’s
Andante main theme supports that idea. What he finally arrived at, however, fills the movement with an unmatched grace and nobility. This theme is in two closely related parts. The perceptive listener will recognize the motto rhythm here and there in both. Beethoven goes back through his theme three more times, and with each repetition, new enhancements and novelties are heard. So as not to bog things down (presumably), Beethoven accelerates the tempo near the end.

The Scherzo’s theme, too, is in two parts: the first mysterious and very soft; the second a blaring horn-call that vividly recalls the symphony’s motto rhythm. This terse statement leads to a rushing, expansive central section, beginning in the low strings. When the main idea returns, all is hushed, leading to a dark and restless transition to the finale.

Beethoven made history with that transition and with the explosive chords that are its target. His Fifth was the earliest symphony to join two movements without a break — the third and the fourth. The chords include the first symphonic appearance of trombones. Beethoven’s idea was to add sheer power to the full orchestra, for at the same moment he also amplifies the sound with a piccolo and a contrabassoon. If we were to title the last movement, it might be “Final Triumph,” for it is a climax to the cumulative emotional power of all that has come before. The most striking feature of the finale, however, is a brief reminiscence of the Scherzo just before the final wind-up. The dramatic effect is perfect. It gives the audience a “breather” before the onslaught of a climactic ending — concluding with an athletic
Presto section, which is a fitting finish not only to the last movement but also to the entire symphony.

Program Notes by Dr. Michael Fink © 2021 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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THE STORY BEHIND: Beethoven's Symphony No.5 (2024)

FAQs

THE STORY BEHIND: Beethoven's Symphony No.5? ›

Beethoven started his Fifth Symphony in 1804, and he knew he was going deaf. He wrote it over nearly four years, when he also was busy on other compositions, including string quartets, concertos, and two other symphonies. Grappling with fate, he summoned defiance and triumph, with transcendent innovation.

What is the story behind Beethoven's 5th symphony? ›

The Fifth isn't just a famous melody — it's a story of despair, Beethoven's deafness, and establishing the will to go on.

What is the message of Symphony No. 5? ›

The Fifth Symphony takes the theme of heroic struggle that Beethoven first explored in his Third Symphony and expands it to cover the entire four movements of the symphony.

Was Beethoven Deaf during his 5th Symphony? ›

Beethoven began to have hearing difficulties from the age of 28 (1798), and was totally deaf by the time he was 45 (1815). His fifth symphony was written between 1804–08, so well into his period of decline. His fifth piano concerto was written in 1809, premiered in 1811 without him due to the problems with his hearing.

What age did Beethoven write his 5th Symphony? ›

Beethoven was about 34 to 38 years old when he wrote his Symphony No. 5. He began working on the piece in 1804, but did not finish it at that time. It was finished sometime between 1804 and 1808 when it premiered.

Why is Beethoven's story special? ›

Final answer: Beethoven's story is unique due to his ability to compose profound pieces of music despite his deafness and express a wide range of human emotions, which is characteristic of romantic music.

Why did Beethoven go deaf? ›

Why did Beethoven go deaf? The exact cause of his hearing loss is unknown. Theories range from syphilis to lead poisoning, typhus, or possibly even his habit of plunging his head into cold water to keep himself awake. At one point he claimed he had suffered a fit of rage in 1798 when someone interrupted him at work.

What caused Beethoven's death? ›

It is believed that Beethoven died from liver and kidney disease at age 56. But the process of understanding what caused his many health problems has been a much more complicated puzzle, one that even Beethoven himself hoped doctors could eventually solve.

What did scientists find in Beethoven's hair? ›

The levels of arsenic and mercury in Beethoven's hair were slightly elevated. The lead levels, on the other hand, were a startling 64 to 95 times higher than the hair of someone today.

Why did Beethoven write Fur Elise? ›

In 2012, musicologist Rita Steblin claimed Beethoven dedicated 'Für Elise' to Barensfeld. Steblin thinks Therese Malfatti could have been Barensfeld's piano teacher when she was 13, which is why Beethoven dedicated Elise the easy Bagatelle, “to do his beloved Therese a favour”.

What is Beethoven's most famous piece? ›

Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 is one of Beethoven's greatest compositions and one of the greatest symphonies ever composed. Symphony No. 9 is also known as the 'Choral' Symphony as its final movement features four vocal soloists and a chorus who sing a setting of Schiller's poem An Die Freude (Ode To Joy).

Who taught Beethoven? ›

Born in Bonn, Beethoven displayed his musical talent at a young age. He was initially taught intensively by his father, Johann van Beethoven, and later by Christian Gottlob Neefe. Under Neefe's tutelage in 1783, he published his first work, a set of keyboard variations.

What is the key of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5? ›

What rock song is based on Beethoven's 5th? ›

The Beatles - She's So Heavy (inspired by Beethoven's 5th) The Fall - No Bulbs. Soulwax - NY Excuse (Justice Remix) The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony (uses a similar chord progression)

What is Sibelius 5th Symphony about? ›

Jean Sibelius' Symphony No. 5 in E-flat Major begins with the breadth and majesty of a vast, unfolding Nordic landscape. A mystical horn call rises and falls in an expansive arc, which opens the door to all that follows.

Why did Beethoven dedicated his symphony to Napoleon? ›

Beethoven and Napoleon

It was inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution and dedicated to its hero, who then seemed to be the great liberator of the people: Napoleon. Beethoven thought of himself as a free spirit, and he admired the principles of freedom and equality embodied by the French Revolution.

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