Symphony No. 5: history of creation. Symphony No. 5 by Beethoven L.V.: features and interesting facts

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The great Ludwig van Beethoven made a huge contribution to symphonic creativity. The Fifth Symphony was a real miracle, created by the hands of a brilliant composer. To this day, this work is popular, it is listened to both in its original form and in modern processing. Each musical masterpiece has its own history of creation, Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 is no exception. How was she born?

History of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 briefly

The times when the symphony began to be created were difficult for the composer, not the most favorable for creativity. Obstacles constantly stood in the way of a genius. Initially, Beethoven was crippled by the news of his deafness, then the military operations carried out in Austria became the cause of depression. But the mind of the composer was captured by an insane desire to create such a large-scale work. The history of the creation of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 originated from the author's constant depressions. The composer either worked for hours, inspired by a new idea, or threw awaysketches and fell into despair for several days, accompanied by gloomy thoughts. At some point, the creation was completely put aside, and he worked on other works that went slowly, but still moved forward.

Beethoven's Fifth Symphony was constantly changed by the composer. He could not get the desired finale of the work, composing it either in a negative or in a positive way. After three years of hard work on the symphony, Beethoven presented his brainchild to the public. It should be noted that at one time the composer created two symphonies, and therefore some troubles arose with the numbering. It is quite possible that Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 may actually be the sixth. These are two major works, and it is possible that the author, after numerous working and stressful days, marked the symphonies in reverse.

Unsuccessful premiere

Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is being performed on world stages today. She is loved, appreciated, inspired and admired. But on the day of the premiere, everything was far from being the case, the presentation was extremely unsuccessful, and the audience was not satisfied with it. This outcome was influenced by several factors at once, and among them the most significant ones can be distinguished:

1. The concert is too long. The history of the creation of L. Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 was too complicated, long, and the composer did not want it to sound the last or the first. Since the author presented two symphonies at once, several more large works had to be inserted at the beginning of the concert. Viewers are tired oftoo long stay in the hall, loud sounds of innovative works performed by the orchestra. That is why, by the beginning of the presentation of the fifth symphony, they no longer wanted to perceive anything, their only desire was to leave the hall as soon as possible.
2. Besides, the audience was too cold. The room was terribly cold as there was no heating.
3. Due to the lack of favorable conditions, the orchestra played poorly. The orchestra members constantly made blunders, and the work had to be started over again. And this additionally delayed the time of an already long concert.

But, despite the first failure, L. V. Beethoven did not become a laughing stock. Symphony No. 5, whose history of creation is filled with sadness and difficulties, gained more and more popularity every year and was soon recognized as the standard of classical symphonic music.

Factors that influenced the creation of the work

This work is the most grandiose of all the author's masterpieces, but it also has the saddest history of creation. Symphony No. 5 by L. V. Beethoven carries all the composer's torments, all his mental pain. Upon learning that he would never hear again, Beethoven wished for death. He wanted to end his life, lay hands on himself. Thoughts of death sometimes did not leave him at all, drove him crazy, because the music that he would never hear again was his essence, life. But, reflecting for a long time on being, the composer thought about the power that every person is endowed with. He thought that everyone, if they really wanted to, could"take fate by the throat", begin to lead it, and live, despite all the intrigues inflicted on it. Beethoven knew that fate disposed of his life unfairly, but also gave him tremendous willpower, thanks to which he was able to hear music again, not only with his ears, but with his heart. This is what prompted the composer to write his best symphony. In spite of fate, people mocking his illness, to himself, who so desires death.

The meaning of the symphony

The work has not only an interesting and touching story of creation. Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 became unique, as it is the only one that the composer himself described, which he did not do with other works. If the author left all his symphonies silent, allowing people to construct its meaning themselves, then he painted the fifth symphony colorfully, describing its specific content in a letter to Schindler. This symphony was supposed to remain with the meaning that the composer put into it. Beethoven wanted to convey to every person everything that he wanted to say himself, but could not express it in words. He knew that people needed the knowledge that came to him only with misfortune. The author wanted every unfortunate person to be able to understand that everything is in his hands, including life, fate. All this can be taken under control, you just need to understand how to do it. The composer showed through music how hard the struggle is, but if you go to the end, you will have a happy and colorful ending.

Description of the symphony

So, in music we see the struggle of the lyricala hero with evil fate. The conflict of man with fate is obvious, it opens from the very first bars. The composer wrote that this is how, unexpectedly, "fate knocks on our doors", he compared it with an uninvited guest who does not always come with gifts. Beethoven said that fate can destroy everything with one turn, change life, destroy the familiar world of dreams, make the fulfillment of desires an unattainable dream. The motives of fate completely permeate the composition, making it more united and unified. Like all classical works, Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 has four main movements:

1. The first movement was created in the style of a sonata allegro with a slow introduction.
2. The second one is woven from double variations.
3. The third one reflects the genre and everyday direction, is a dramatic scherzo.
4. The fourth part is the finale. It is composed in the form of the same sonata allegro, but with a coda.

Semantic description of parts

At the beginning of the symphony, the direct action of the lyrical hero and counteractions of fate are clearly exhibited. Here drama begins to ensue, conflict escalates. It is noticeable that in this act fate prevails over the hero.

In the second part, there is a discharge of negative opposition. Here, hope for a happy ending begins to emerge.

The third part is the most dynamic. Here the conflict reaches its peak, the situation escalates, the opposition becomes stronger. The lyrical hero begins to gradually prevail, and eventually goesoverweight in his direction.

The ending sounds positive. It can be described as follows: "Through the struggle - to a well-deserved victory."

Thus, we see that this work is not only a standard of symphonic music, but also of dramaturgy. At the beginning of the article there is a brief history of its creation. Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 was proof that even an art as temporary as music can become eternal.

Interesting facts

1. The fifth symphony was originally numbered as the sixth. It happened on the day of the premiere of two works.
2. Beethoven at one time most appreciated only two people for their human qualities, kindness and intelligence. This is the Russian ambassador to Austria, Count Razumovsky and Prince Lobkowitz. It was to these people that the symphony was dedicated.
3. Some fragments are actively quoted in the works of Alfred Schnittke. These are the "Gogol Suite" and the "First Symphony".
4. Initially, the work was given the name "Great Symphony in C Minor", but then the long name was replaced by a numerical order.
5. This masterpiece has the longest history of creation. Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 took almost three years to compose and was completed in 1808.
6. As you know, Wagner became a reformer in opera after he unsuccessfully presented his first symphony. Due to the fact that the audience openly mocked him, the composer vowed not to deal with this genre anymore. But, despite this, Wagner respected the work of Beethoven,and he especially liked Symphony No. 5.

Symphony in motion pictures

Because the composition has a clear sense of struggle and overcoming difficulties, it does not seem strange that its directors used it to emphasize the most intense moments of the films. So, we can hear the symphony in the rating series "The Walking Dead". The episode titled "The Favor" becomes more intimidating to the sound of the symphony.

The same piece sounds in "Ocean's Friends", "Clumsy", "I Am Zombie", "Paranoia", "White House Down" and many other equally striking films.

Modern treatments

Many authors, taking advantage of the popularity of the symphony, process it in their own style. But this does not spoil the original at all. On the contrary, the new image of the symphony becomes fresher, more interesting, and more complete. In each new treatment, the younger generation can find their own style. The most popular are jazz, salsa and rock symphonies. The latter is more interesting, as rock emphasizes the conflict, making it more tense.