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Primary sourceDocument1804-1808

Symphony No. 5

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1804-1808

Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, built on its famous four-note opening motif, moving from struggle in C minor to triumph in C major.

First edition title page of Beethoven's most famous symphony, composed as his deafness worsened.

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Title page of the first edition of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, printed in large decorative capitals reading SINFONIE, with the dedication to Prince Lobkowitz and Count Razumovsky and the name LOUIS van BEETHOVEN, published in Leipzig by Breitkopf & Härtel.
Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, first edition title page, Leipzig, 1809.

About this source

What it is

The Symphony No. 5 in C minor was composed between 1804 and 1808 and first performed in Vienna in December 1808, conducted by Beethoven himself. It was written during his 'Middle Period' alongside several other major works.

Why it matters

This symphony's short-short-short-long opening motif became one of the most recognisable passages in music. It was composed as Beethoven's deafness worsened and as Europe was shaken by the Napoleonic Wars, and it became the model for his dramatic, struggle-to-triumph style.

Look closer

  • Why do you think this simple four-note motif became so famous?
  • What might it mean that Beethoven wrote this ambitious work while going deaf?
  • Look at the printed title page — what does its dedication tell you about who supported Beethoven's work?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Ludwig van Beethoven on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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