Pieces › Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

I. Allegro con brio

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1807–08 · C minor · 502 bars · 362 chords analysed

The most famous four notes in music. The whole symphony travels from C minor struggle to C major triumph, with trombones joining for the finale.

Beethoven's nine symphonies (1800–1824) changed what a symphony could be: longer, louder, more dramatic, and finally, in the Ninth, with singers. A symphony is a large work for orchestra, usually in four movements: a dramatic first movement in sonata form, a slow movement, a dance (minuet or scherzo) and a fast finale. With strings, woodwind, brass and timpani all taking part, the harmony is spread across the whole orchestra — the numerals under the score read it all at once.

Keys visited: C minor, F minor, E♭ major, G minor, D major, G major, B♭ minor, F♯ minor, C major.