Pieces › Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

IV. Allegro

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1807–08 · C major · 446 bars · 536 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 major, G major, F minor, E major, A minor, F major, C minor, E minor.