Classical Era

 

I would first like to start with a brief history with the beginnings of Beethoven’s life.  Beethoven was born in Germany, but had a career in Vienna.  He was a piano prodigy and had a successful career as a composer by the time he was 30 years of age.  Beethoven actually started losing his hearing when he was in his 20’s.  He was completely deaf by 1815, but he did not let that stop him and continued to compose.

Ludwig van Beethoven wrote the 5th Symphony in 1804-1808 and it was written in C minor.  Beethoven took several years to put the 5th Symphony completely together and he had finally performed the 5th Symphony in Vienna’s Theatre an der Vien on December 22, 1808.  Beethoven directed it himself.  

Beethoven’s 5th Symphony was written in four movements: an opening sonata, an andante, and a fast scherzo which leads to the finale.  This display of the movements is a good example of how the rise of the middle class had effects on music.  This piece of music was also very recognizable, but serious at the same time.  The music draws you in from the moment it starts.  It has its suspenseful moments and its slow, serious ones. 

I really enjoyed this Symphony when I was growing up.  In my elementary music class, I had the opportunity to listen to it a lot.  I also joined band in about the 5^th grade and by the 7^th or 8^th grade, I got the opportunity to play Beethoven’s 5^th Symphony in a concert.  However, sadly I did quit band, but I will never be able to forget how much I enjoyed playing that Symphony.  I also find it so fascinating that he continued to compose such amazing works even when he was deaf. 

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