It is impossible not to admire Beethoven’s oeuvre; his music touches the subtlest stings of the soul. The brightest samples of his work are Moonlight Sonata, opera Fidelio, all of nine Symphonies, a lot of Overtures, and a big amount of pieces for full orchestra or single instruments. In this paper I want to discuss Symphony #5 (Movement 1 in particular) and my own observations, researches, and analysis.
After listening to the First Movement of Symphony #5, I have experienced such feelings as anxiety and struggle. In my opinion, its music can be interpreted like the man's struggle with various hardships and life challenges. In particular, I want to distinguish the opening part, which is an epigraph to the whole symphony; its emotional palette is formidable, and when so many instruments sound so loud (in fortissimo) and unison, it all only strengthens the feelings mentioned above. Furthermore, these four notes set the main tune of this work. After this part, Movement 1 develops in the faster and sanguine melody, but it always returns to the main motif. This precisely refers to a real life: there is always balance of “good” and “bad”. Also, there are so many different parts in the first movement: from slow, smooth, and peaceful figures to the fast, vigorous, and dynamic passages.
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Beethoven begins to write Symphony #5 in 1804, right after he wrote the 3rd symphony. He finished it in 1808. This was the period of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815), Vienna’s occupation (1805), and political turmoil in Austria. As for Beethoven, he was at his mid-thirties by that period, and except for his financial problems, composer turned cloth-eared. It makes him more sullen and morose, and he begins to provide so-called “conversation books” to communicate with just a few visitors and friends. All of this life troubles in combination with events in the environment affected on his music. For example, when Napoleon declared himself as an emperor, and neglected “Great French Revolution” ideals that were appreciated and honored by Beethoven, the last one refused to dedicate his Third symphony to the “new emperor”. That struggle in composer’s life helps to understand his music better. Beethoven clearly stated about the opening theme: it was like the “fate knocking on the door”. It also reflects author’s experience gained by the time when symphony was written. However, it needs to be noticed that the premiere of this symphony in 1808 in Vienna wasn’t so great as it was expected. Due to the long-lasting concert (about four hours), cold weather (it was winter then), and insufficient preparation for the performance, the audience was unable to estimate innovation and genius of this work.
According to All-about-beethoven.com, “Beethoven's 5th Symphony in C minor, op. 67 is considered a natural continuation of Symphony No. 3, "Eroica" because it covers the same themes and expresses the relationship between the particular and general.” Its main theme can be evaluated like struggle. During the entire symphony, the fight spirit develops and symphony ends solemnly, just like after the end of a fierce war. Symphony consists of four parts (or movements): Allegro con brio, Andante con moto, Allegro (Scherzo), and Allegro. It contains heroic and anthem music which could be the result of ongoing events, as well as Beethoven’s personal experience and hardships. Also, the main stylistic theme of the whole 5th Symphony and 1st Movement in particular is a famous four-note motif. This work applies large orchestra with wood and brass winds, timpani, and string instruments. Beethoven chose C minor tonality due to his own vision on it: stormy and heroic keynote. 5th Symphony is the best sample of cyclic form, which has appeared in this work, and influenced further music history.
Today, almost all people know Beethoven and his oeuvre. 5th Symphony and especially its opening “fate” motif have become so famous that many people infiltrated its elements into many of works, from classical to popular culture and in different genres of film, music, television, etc. Four-note motif has become the most known symbol of the classical music. And this Symphony is the most performed classical work. After more than two hundred years, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and its main theme remained relevant.
So, after all of my researches, the appreciation for Beethoven just increased, and now I totally agree with his description of the main motif of the 5th Symphony as it really sounds like fate is knocking on the door. So, I am tempted to say that this is a well-thought and deep work. Also, I would like to recall the time when this Symphony was written. Those were hard times both for the composer and other Europeans because of Napoleonic Wars and political turmoil. It all had a great impact on Beethoven’s music. After reading a big volume of information about this topic I understand Beethoven’s feelings and experiences better, and due to the fact of his evolving deafness, I feel respectful for this composer. It is now clear that Beethoven is one of the greatest people in the world, whose music influenced the entire mankind.
References
Hopkins, A. (1977). The Nine Symphonies of Beethoven . Scolar Press.
Jolly, C. (1966). Beethoven as I Knew Him . London: Faber and Faber. As translated from Schindler (1860). Biographie von Ludwig van Beethoven . All-about-beethoven.com. Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. The Destiny Symphony. Retrieved from: http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/symphony5.html.
