Symphony No. 5
Famous four-note opening
Symphony No. 5 most often refers to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony in C minor (1808), famous for its four-note opening motif—three short notes followed by one long—sometimes described as "fate knocking at the door." The designation applies to any composer's fifth symphony: Mahler's Symphony No. 5, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5.
Without qualification, Symphony No. 5 almost always means Beethoven's.
- BeethovenGerman classical music giant
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- full orchestraComplete instrumental performing group
- conductorOne who directs musicians
- fatePredetermined course of events
fate knocking · knocking · first movement · classical · movement · minor · Vienna · deaf · triumph · baton · strings · brass · timpani · concert · concert hall · hall · opus · dramatic
- Tchaikovsky Symphonies
- classical musicBach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms
- TchaikovskySwan Lake, The Nutcracker, Nutcracker, 1812 Overture, Sleeping Beauty
- BeethovenFur Elise, Moonlight Sonata, Ode to Joy, Fidelio, Adelaide
- Mahler
Symphony No. 5chamber music
Small-group classical compositions
string quartet · piano sonata · art song · trio · lieder
Symphony No. 5elevator music
Inoffensive ambient background audio
muzak · jingle · ringtone · background music · hold music