Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, 1st movement. It is also nicknamed the "Fate" Symphony.
Beethoven
It was the 9th symphony. He was completely death when he wrote the piece. The Ninth Symphony in D minor, Opus 125, composed by Beethoven in 1822 to 1824, was dedicated to Friedrich Wilhelm III, King of Prussia, and first performed in Vienna on the 7th May 1824. Ignaz Schuppanzigh directed the orchestra, in the presence of Beethoven.
While there are a number of "Fifth Symphonies," by far the most well known is Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. A symphony is a themed collection of pieces of music, composers didn't "name" them in the pop music sense but gave them titles according to the key in which they are written i.e. "Symphony in C", however once you have written more than one symphony in the same key it becomes necessary to number them, so a "fifth symphony" is the fifth symphony written by a composer.
Rather unromantically, the Fifth Symphony was written purely for fiscal reasons, i.e. Beethoven needed money. Count Franz von Oppersdorf commissioned a symphony in February of 1807 and paid Beethoven 200 florins up front to make sure he completed it.
Beethoven's 5th symphony is not "supposed" to symbolise anything. It is a piece of absolute music which exists in its own right, not as a symbol of anything else. Individual listeners may choose to find symbolic "meaning" in it; for example, you may decide that the music symbolises a person's struggle against fate. Someone else may decide something completely different. There is no right or wrong about that sort of reaction: it is personal to the listener, and has nothing to do with Beethoven.
Beethoven
The empathetic four-note motif at the beginning was Beethoven's imitation of "fate knocking on a door".
It was the 9th symphony. He was completely death when he wrote the piece. The Ninth Symphony in D minor, Opus 125, composed by Beethoven in 1822 to 1824, was dedicated to Friedrich Wilhelm III, King of Prussia, and first performed in Vienna on the 7th May 1824. Ignaz Schuppanzigh directed the orchestra, in the presence of Beethoven.
While there are a number of "Fifth Symphonies," by far the most well known is Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. A symphony is a themed collection of pieces of music, composers didn't "name" them in the pop music sense but gave them titles according to the key in which they are written i.e. "Symphony in C", however once you have written more than one symphony in the same key it becomes necessary to number them, so a "fifth symphony" is the fifth symphony written by a composer.
Rather unromantically, the Fifth Symphony was written purely for fiscal reasons, i.e. Beethoven needed money. Count Franz von Oppersdorf commissioned a symphony in February of 1807 and paid Beethoven 200 florins up front to make sure he completed it.
Beethoven's 5th symphony is not "supposed" to symbolise anything. It is a piece of absolute music which exists in its own right, not as a symbol of anything else. Individual listeners may choose to find symbolic "meaning" in it; for example, you may decide that the music symbolises a person's struggle against fate. Someone else may decide something completely different. There is no right or wrong about that sort of reaction: it is personal to the listener, and has nothing to do with Beethoven.
Mozart aside, Ludwig van Beethoven is the most famous classical composer of the western world. Beethoven is remembered for his powerful and stormy compositions, and for continuing to compose and conduct even after he began to go deaf at age 28. The ominous four-note beginning to his Fifth Symphony -- bom bom bom bommmmm -- is one of the most famous moments in all of music. (Beethoven supposedly described the notes as "Fate knocking at the door.") He wrote nine numbered symphonies in all: his Third Symphony ("Eroica") and Sixth Symphony ("Pastoral") are especially famous. Beethoven also wrote the popular "Moonlight" sonata (1801).Extra credit: Beethoven never married. After his death his friends found letters to a lover he called "Immortal Beloved," whose identity has never been discovered. The English phrase "Immortal Beloved" is a translation of the German, "Unsterbliche Geliebte"... Beethoven's precise date of birth is unknown; he was baptized on 17 December 1770, and it is presumed he was born on 16 December
Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in c minor, Op. 67 was written in 1804-08. This symphony is one of the most popular and well-known compositions in all of European classical music, and one of the most often-played symphonies. It starts with the fifth of c minor.
In Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, Theme 1 is characterized by its four-note "short-short-short-long" motif, symbolizing fate knocking at the door. This theme is intense and powerful, setting up the dramatic tone of the movement. Theme 2, on the other hand, is more lyrical and calm, providing a contrast to the initial theme and showcasing Beethoven's skill in creating tension and release throughout the movement.
Born: December 1770Birthplace: Bonn, GermanyDied: 26 March 1827 (cirrhosis of the liver, plus dropsy)Best Known As: The composer of Beethoven's Fifthhttp://www.answers.com/main/ntq-dsid-1648-dekey-wolfgangamadeusmozart aside, Ludwig van Beethoven is the most famous classical composer of the western world. Beethoven is remembered for his powerful and stormy compositions, and for continuing to compose and conduct even after he began to go deaf at age 28. The ominous four-note beginning to his Fifth Symphony -- bom bom bom bommmmm -- is one of the most famous moments in all of music. (Beethoven supposedly described the notes as "Fate knocking at the door.") He wrote nine numbered symphonies in all: his Third Symphony ("Eroica") and Sixth Symphony ("Pastoral") are especially famous. Beethoven also wrote the popular "Moonlight" sonata (1801).Beethoven never married. After his death his friends found letters to a lover he called "Immortal Beloved," whose identity has never been discovered. The English phrase "Immortal Beloved" is a translation of the German, "Unsterbliche Geliebte"... Beethoven's precise date of birth is unknown; he was baptized on 17 December 1770, and it is presumed he was born on 16 December.
Born: December 1770Birthplace: Bonn, GermanyDied: 26 March 1827 (cirrhosis of the liver, plus dropsy)Best Known As: The composer of Beethoven's Fifthhttp://www.answers.com/main/ntq-dsid-1648-dekey-wolfgangamadeusmozart aside, Ludwig van Beethoven is the most famous classical composer of the western world. Beethoven is remembered for his powerful and stormy compositions, and for continuing to compose and conduct even after he began to go deaf at age 28. The ominous four-note beginning to his Fifth Symphony -- bom bom bom bommmmm -- is one of the most famous moments in all of music. (Beethoven supposedly described the notes as "Fate knocking at the door.") He wrote nine numbered symphonies in all: his Third Symphony ("Eroica") and Sixth Symphony ("Pastoral") are especially famous. Beethoven also wrote the popular "Moonlight" sonata (1801).Beethoven never married. After his death his friends found letters to a lover he called "Immortal Beloved," whose identity has never been discovered. The English phrase "Immortal Beloved" is a translation of the German, "Unsterbliche Geliebte"... Beethoven's precise date of birth is unknown; he was baptized on 17 December 1770, and it is presumed he was born on 16 December.
He has a wife pushing him into it. Otherwise he would have let common sense take over. At one point he is quite happy to let fate take its course, and if fate would have him king, fate can crown him.