Beethoven's Fifth Symphony

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5

Nicole Danz, Kevin Eyres, Brenda Gross, Rokesa Tarver

ARTS/340

October 31, 2011

Anthony J. Wardzinski, PhD

Abstract

“For many people, Ludwig van Beethoven represents the highest level of musical genius” (Kamien, 2008). One of his most prominent works is his Fifth Symphony. This particular work creates spark and emotion, which is why it is one of the most famous pieces by Beethoven. Of the millions of performers and songs that have been written throughout the test of time, Beethoven and his Fifth Symphony have proven to be distinct and most renowned among them all.

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony

Instruments and Music

Ludwig Van Beethoven was seen and portrayed as a musical genius, a man who; because he earned good pay from selling his music to publishers; was able to present himself on the outside as a man of great stature. He dressed impeccably; as did most other composers of his time. Most of his peers saw him as a man of mystery. Beethoven created music for the love of it and also to accommodate the musical tastes of the economically affluent of his time. Beethoven left his family in Germany to attend music school in Vienna at a young age.

Beethoven presented himself to his peers as a man that was serious and always focused, concentrated solely on composing the best music possible. Beethoven’s on stage performances did not match the music that he composed. His peers and fans thought of him as wild and disorganized because of his wild gestures at the podium.

Selected Music – Beethoven’s 5th (1st Movement, Allegro Con Brio)

At the beginning of the first movement; Beethoven opens with the string instruments. There is a sense of surprise to the introduction of these instruments. The listener gets a sense of quiet control as the tempo goes from a soft lull into a methodical shift from string instruments to the brass instruments. Beethoven uses the violin section, the cello and bass sections to smooth out the...