A huge contribution to symphonic creativity madethe great Ludwig van Beethoven. The fifth symphony was a real miracle, created by the hands of a brilliant composer. To date, this work is popular, it is listened to and 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?
The history of the creation of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5
The times when the symphony began to be created werefor the composer heavy, not the most favorable for creativity. Obstacles constantly stood in the way of genius. Initially, Beethoven ruined the news of his deafness, then the cause of the depressions became military actions carried out in Austria. But the mind of the composer was captured by a mad desire to create such a large-scale work. The history of the creation of the symphony number 5 of Beethoven originated from the constant depressions of the author. The composer then worked for hours, inspired by the new idea, then threw sketches and for several days fell into despair, accompanied by gloomy thoughts. At some moments, the creation was completely put aside, and he worked on other works that went, though slowly, but still moved forward.
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony was constantly changing.by the composer. He could not get the desired final of the work, writing it in a negative, then in a positive way. After three years of intense work on the symphony, Beethoven presented his brainchild for public viewing. 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 turn out to be the sixth. These are two major works, and it is possible that the author, after numerous labor and intense days, outlined the symphonies in reverse.
Unsuccessful premiere
Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is performed today onworld scenes. 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 unfortunate, and the audience was unhappy with it. Several factors at once affected such an outcome, and among them we can single out the most significant ones:
- The concert was too long.The history of the creation of the symphony No. 5 of L. Beethoven was too complicated, long, and the composer did not want it to sound last or first. As the author presented two symphonies at once, I had to insert several more major works at the beginning of the concert. The audience got tired of staying too long 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 faster.
- In addition, the audience is too shy. The room was terribly cold, as it was not heated.
- Due to the lack of favorable conditions the orchestraplayed badly. The orchestra constantly made gross mistakes, and the work had to be started anew. And this additionally delayed the time and so long concert.
But, despite the first failure, did notRidiculous L.V. Beethoven. The symphony No. 5, the creation history of which is filled with sadness and difficulties, has gained more and more popularity every year and was soon recognized as the standard of classical symphonic music.
Factors that influenced the creation of a work
This work is the most ambitious ofall the author's masterpieces, but he has the most sad story of creation. Symphony No. 5 of Beethoven L.V. bears in itself all the torments of the composer, all his heartache. Upon learning that he would never hear again, Beethoven desired death. He wanted to end his life, lay hands on himself. Thoughts about death sometimes did not leave him at all, they drove him crazy, because the music that he would never hear again was his essence, his life. But, long thinking about being, the composer thought about the power that each person is endowed with. He thought that everyone, if they really wanted to, could "take the fate by the throat", begin to lead it, and live, regardless of all the intrigues that were caused to her. Beethoven knew that fate had disposed of his life unfairly, but also gave him great will power, thanks to which he could hear music again, but not with his ears, but with his heart. That is what motivated the composer to write his best symphony. In spite of fate, mocking his illness to people, to himself, who so desires death.
The meaning of the symphony
The work is not only interesting andtouching 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, letting people build its meaning for themselves, then he painted the fifth colorfully, describing its specific content in a letter to Schindler. This symphony should have remained with the meaning that the composer put into it. Beethoven wanted to convey to every person everything he wanted to say, but he could not express it in words. He knew that people needed the knowledge that came to him only with disaster. The author wanted every unfortunate to understand that everything was in his hands, including life, fate. All this can be taken under control, one has only to understand how to do it. Through the music, the composer showed how difficult the struggle is, but if you make it to the end, then there will be a happy and colorful ending.
Symphony description
So, in music, we see the struggle of a lyrical herowith evil fate. The conflict between man and fate is obvious, it opens from the very first bars. The composer wrote that it was so, unexpectedly, that “fate knocks on our doors”; he compared it with an uninvited guest, who does not always come with gifts. Beethoven said that destiny can destroy everything at its own turn, change lives, destroy the familiar world of dreams, make the fulfillment of desires an inaccessible dream. The motives of fate completely permeate the composition, making it more consistent and unified. Like all classical works, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 consists of four main parts:
- The first part was created in the style of a sonata allegro with a slow introduction.
- The second is woven from double variations.
- The third displays the genre-domestic trend, is a dramatic scherzo.
- The fourth part is the final. He is composed in the form of the same sonata allegro, but with a code.
Meaningful description of parts
At the beginning of the symphony, the directthe action of the lyrical hero and the counter-action of fate. This is where the drama starts, the conflict escalates. It is noticeable that in this act, fate prevails over the hero.
In the second part, the negative reaction is defused. Here the hope of a happy ending begins to emerge.
The third part is the most dynamic.Here, the conflict reaches its peak, the situation is exacerbated, the opposition is becoming stronger. The lyrical hero begins to predominate, and ultimately there is an advantage in his direction.
The final is heard positive. It can be described as: "Through the struggle - to a well-deserved victory."
Thus, we see that this workis not only the standard of symphonic music, but also drama. At the beginning of the article there is his short history of creation. Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 was proof that even such temporary art as music can become eternal.
Interesting Facts
- Originally, the fifth symphony was numbered as the sixth. It happened on the day of the premiere of two works.
- Beethoven at the time most appreciated onlytwo people for their human qualities, kindness and intelligence. This is the Russian ambassador to Austria, Count Razumovsky and Prince Lobkowitz. The symphony was devoted to these people.
- Some fragments are actively quoted in the works of Alfred Schnittke. These are "Gogol-suite" and "First symphony".
- Initially, the work was given the name "Grand Symphony in C Minor", but then the long name was replaced by a numbered sequence.
- This masterpiece has the longest history of creation. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 was composed for almost three years and was ready in 1808.
- As you know, Wagner became a reformer in the operaticcreativity after unsuccessfully presented his first symphony. Due to the fact that viewers openly scoffed at him, the composer vowed no longer to deal with this genre. But despite this, Wagner respected Beethoven's work, and especially he liked the symphony No. 5.
Symphony in motion pictures
Since the composition clearly feels the struggle andovercoming difficulties does not seem strange that its directors used to underline the most intense moments of films. So, we can hear the symphony in the rating series The Walking Dead. The episode entitled “The Service” becomes more intimidating to the sounds of a symphony.
The same work is played in "Friends of Ocean", "Clumsy", "I am Zombies", "Paranoia", "Storm of the White House" and many other no less vivid films.
Modern processing
Many authors, using the popularity of the symphony,process it in your style. But it does not spoil the original at all. On the contrary, the new image of the symphony is becoming more fresh, interesting, complemented. In each new treatment, the younger generation can find its own style. The most popular are the symphony in the style of jazz, salsa and rock. The latter turned out to be more interesting, since the rock emphasizes the conflict, making it more intense.