Beethoven's Symphony No.5
...er of times throughout the piece. That is also the highlight of the whole symphony piece. Like the other symphonies, it has a total of four movements: Allegro con brio It displays uniqueness through its sonata structure and a theme constructed with a rhythmical-melodic cell of just four notes, which is also the key motif of the entire symphony The generating motif of this part also appeared in other works, either in the composer’s creation (sonata Appassionata), or in Mozart or Haydn’s works. Andante con moto It has a lyrical theme with a hymnal resonance, even festive, permanently reminding of the somewhat dramatic tone of the first theme. Allegro This movement has a free form, neither scherzo nor intermezzo, but constitutes itself as an epilogue to the dramatism in Part I and a prologue to Part IV. This is considered to be the key moment of the entire symphony, both psychologically and from the point of view of the musical construction. This scherzo opens in quiet minor-key shadow which later evolves into a dynamic movement. At the end, the timpani tap out a gentle rhythm, the violins toy with wisps of the scherzo, the tension builds to breaking point and with a tremendous crescendo the music sweeps headlong into the majestic finale. Allegro It brings about many new elements which constitute a genuine surprise. In the exuberance and joyfulness of the musical construction a lyrical theme suddenly appears by an oboe; then by trombones and flutes and is followed by other instruments making surprise appearances in the piece, weaving into a picture of spiritual triumph. This held back near the end acts as a reminder of how hard won the victory has been, and so gives a guarantee of truth to the symphony’s jubilant and emphatic close. Beethoven composed the Fifth Symphony on the heels of the completed Eroica, at around 1807-1808, and at a time when many works were coming to fruition: the Rasumovsky Quartets, the Fourth Piano Concerto, the Violin Concerto and the Fourth and Sixth Symphonies. The Fifth Symphony distinguishes itself from other compositions during Beethoven’s “Middle Period” with its strong motifs. It was worked simultaneously with the Sixth Symphony-a gentle piece-which was originally numbered as the Fifth Symphony. Its fame has only been abetted not only by being the definitive expression of Beethoven’s personal struggle from his losing of hearing but a pivotal masterpiece in the history of western music. It made a simple, yet influential musical process—the transitio...