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Listening Guide

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Listening Guide

Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

DATE OF WORK:

1807–8

MOVEMENTS:

I. Allegro con brio; sonata-allegro form, C minor

II. Andante con moto; theme and variations form (2 themes), A-flat

major

III. Allegro; scherzo and trio form, C minor

IV. Allegro; sonata-allegro form, C major

First Movement: Allegro con brio; sonata-allegro form, 2/4 meter, C minor

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:

Famous motive (short-short-short-long) is basis for entire movement;

heard in sequence, extended beyond 4 notes, and turned upside down.

Sonata-allegro form, with fiery opening theme and sweet 2nd theme.

Dramatic tonal shifts between major and minor.

EXPOSITION

Theme 1—based on famous 4-note motive, in C minor:

Allegro con brio

etc.

b b b 2 4 ‰ œ œ œ

‰ œ œ œ

Motive treated sequentially:

‰

œ œ œ ˙

b b b 2 4 ‰ œ œ œ

œ œ œ ˙

etc.

œ œ

˙ œ œ œ ˙

˙ ˙ ˙ œ

œ œœ

˙ ˙

n˙

Expansion from 4-note motive; horns modulate to key of second theme:

b b 2

etc.

& b

4 ‰ œ œ œ ˙

Theme 2—more lyrical, in woodwinds, in E-flat major; heard against rhythm of 4-note motive:

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

etc.

b 2 4 œ

& b

b b 2 4 ∑

∑

‰ œ œ œ œ Œ

? b

basic rhythm

Closing theme—descending staccato passage, then 4-note motive.

Repeat of exposition.

DEVELOPMENT

Beginning of development, announced by horns.

Manipulation of 4-note motive through a descending sequence:

Listening Guide

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