Perhaps in all of the classical music ever written there is hardly a combination of notes more widely-recognized than the four famous ‘da-da-da-daah’ notes everyone’s ear has heard at least once in their lives. Maybe not everyone would name the title of the work at once, maybe not even the composer of the work, but the pattern is popular far outside the musical circle. Let’s re-live Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5!
Premiered in 1808 in Vienna, the symphony was greatly criticized: the size of the orchestra needed to perform the complex work was too big compared to the ‘norms’ and the symphony appeared very under-rehearsed by its debut. However, Beethoven’s composition genius could not but shine through these drawbacks and the public eventually could not remain indifferent charmed by the impressive scale of the Fifth.
As Schindler described the work, its first sounds were just like “death knocking upon the door”. And indeed, Beethoven’s Fifth was the symbol of victory at the time of World War II, hence the saying ‘V for Victory’. The Roman ‘V’ became a lucky and symbolically powerful coincidence with the symphony’s serial number.
The ”fate motif” excerpt (famous initial pattern) from the symphony in Beethoven’s favorite ‘heroic’ tonality – the key of C minor – was used in all possible spheres of human life, from pop culture, commercials and disco/rock covers to important social projects and events.
Below is a very entertaining vision of the Symphony No. 5 from the point of view of a ‘commentator’. The authors tried to elaborate the work just like a sport event so that the listener was aware of what is going on. Have fun!
As Schindler described the work, its first sounds were just like “death knocking upon the door”. And indeed, Beethoven’s Fifth was the symbol of victory at the time of World War II, hence the saying ‘V for Victory’. The Roman ‘V’ became a lucky and symbolically powerful coincidence with the symphony’s serial number.
The ”fate motif” excerpt (famous initial pattern) from the symphony in Beethoven’s favorite ‘heroic’ tonality – the key of C minor – was used in all possible spheres of human life, from pop culture, commercials and disco/rock covers to important social projects and events.
Below is a very entertaining vision of the Symphony No. 5 from the point of view of a ‘commentator’. The authors tried to elaborate the work just like a sport event so that the listener was aware of what is going on. Have fun!
