Chapter Summary
The opening bars of this symphony are well known and individuals find their own
symbolic meaning for the four notes, short-short-short-Long, and the two pitches.
Schindler said that Beethoven thought of his introductory theme in the Fifth Symphony
ith his deafness, however, has endured.
During World War II, the Allied forces used this symphony as an audible symbol for
victory.
Beethoven used motives (germinal cells) to express his ideas, not song-like
melodies as in Mozart. He moved it to different locations in the scale, and to different
instruments in the orchestra. The intrigue continues throughout because Beethoven
surprises listeners with unexpected louds and softs and shifts his theme from strings to
winds.
Listening Guide
The first movement of Symphony no. 5 is in sonata form, and the Listening Guide in the
textbook lays out the use of themes in the manner of other examples of sonata form
examined in Listen to This!
more difficult to distinguish just by listening, and students are encouraged to use the
Automated Listening Guide as they begin their study of this work. Bonds numbers each
use of the s-s-s-L motive in its various representations. The Rhythm column reinforces
tif.
MyMusicLab Resources
Automated Listening Guide: Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony no. 5 in C Minor, op.
67, first movement
Chapter Audio: Chapter 26
Animated Notation: Dynamics: Loud versus Soft
Watch: Inside the Orchestra (woodwinds, brass, strings)