5 Facts About Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony

It was one of the first symphonies to use continuous movements. The transition from the third to fourth movement is an early example of attacca, where the tense, hushed third movement builds directly into a triumphant C major finale without a break.

The famous four-note opening motif is a rhythmic pattern, not a melody. The short-short-short-long rhythm drives the entire first movement and reappears throughout the symphony.

Beethoven originally dedicated the symphony to Napoleon, but later scratched out the dedication. He became disillusioned with Napoleon after he declared himself emperor.

The symphony was premiered in 1808 in a marathon four-hour concert. The program also included Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto, the Choral Fantasy, and parts of the Mass in C.

The fifth and sixth symphonies were premiered on the same night. Beethoven numbered them out of order, so the Fifth is actually the earlier work.