Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 5 in C minor (1808)
First movement, Allegro con brio (fast with gusto)
6CD 3/2; 2CD 1/14
Form: sonata–allegro
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EXPOSITION [ ] = repeats
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0:00
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[1:23]
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Two statements of the motive
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0:06
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[1:29]
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Motive builds momentum in a crescendo working up to climax and three chords, the last of which is held
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0:23
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[1:46]
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Another crescendo begins as motive is piled upon itself in imitative counterpoint
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0:40
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[2:04]
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Loud climax on two chords
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0:43
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[2:06]
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Short transition played by solo French horn
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0:45
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[2:09]
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Quiet second theme in new major key (relative major)
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0:58
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[2:22]
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Crescendo
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1:04
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[2:27]
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Loud string passage prepares arrival of closing theme
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1:13
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[2:36]
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Closing theme
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[1:23–2:44]
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Repeat of exposition
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DEVELOPMENT
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2:46
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Motive played fortissimo by horn and strings and then passed back and forth between woodwinds and strings
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3:07
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Another crescendo or “Beethovenian swell”
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3:13
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Rhythmic climax in which motive is pounded incessantly
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3:20
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Short passage of imitative counterpoint using transition motive
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3:30
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Two notes of transition motive passed back and forth
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3:40
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One note passed back and forth between winds and strings; gets quiet
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3:50
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Basic four-note motive tries to reassert itself loudly
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3:54
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More pianissimo one-note alternation between winds and strings
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3:58
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Motive reenters insistently
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RECAPITULATION
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4:04
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Return of motive
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4:10
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Motive gathers momentum and cadences with three chords
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4:20
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Unexpected oboe solo
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4:36
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Motive returns and moves hurriedly to a climax
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4:56
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Transition now played by bassoon instead of horn
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4:59
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Quiet second theme with timpani now playing rhythm of motive
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5:15
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Crescendo leading to closing theme
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5:32
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Closing theme
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CODA
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5:40
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Motive pounded fortissimo on one note, then again a step higher
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5:53
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Imitative counterpoint
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6:07
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Rising quarter notes form new four-note pattern
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6:19
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New four-note pattern alternates between strings and woodwinds
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6:39
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Pounding on a single note, then motive as at beginning
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6:53
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Succession of I–V–I chords brings movement to abrupt end
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