Beethoven, Symphony 5/2,Thielemann, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

02 - Andante con moto (Beethoven Symphony 5, C minor, Op 67, Thielemann, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)

The Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, was written by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1804-08. This symphony is one of the most popular and best-known compositions in all of classical music, and one of the most often played symphonies. It comprises four movements: an opening sonata, an andante, and a fast scherzo which leads attacca to the finale. First performed in Vienna's Theater an der Wien in 1808, the work achieved its prodigious reputation soon afterwards. E. T. A. Hoffmann described the symphony as "one of the most important works of the time".

The Fifth Symphony had a long gestation. The first sketches date from 1804 following the completion of the Third Symphony. However, Beethoven repeatedly interrupted his work on the Fifth to prepare other compositions, including the first version of Fidelio, the Appassionata piano sonata, the three Razumovsky string quartets, the Violin Concerto, the Fourth Piano Concerto, the Fourth Symphony, and the Mass in C. The final preparation of the Fifth Symphony, which took place in 1807-1808, was carried out in parallel with the Sixth Symphony, which premiered at the same concert.

Beethoven was in his mid-thirties during this time; his personal life was troubled by increasing deafness. In the world at large, the period was marked by the Napoleonic Wars, political turmoil in Austria, and the occupation of Vienna by Napoleon's troops in 1805.

The Fifth Symphony was premiered on 22 December 1808 at a mammoth concert at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna consisting entirely of Beethoven premieres, and directed by Beethoven himself. The concert lasted for more than four hours. The two symphonies appeared on the program in reverse order: the Sixth was played first, and the Fifth appeared in the second half. The program was as follows:
1. The Sixth Symphony
2. Aria: "Ah, perfido", Op. 65
3. The Gloria movement of the Mass in C major
4. The Fourth Piano Concerto (played by Beethoven himself)
5. (Intermission)
6. The Fifth Symphony
7. The Sanctus and Benedictus movements of the C major Mass
8. A solo piano improvisation played by Beethoven
9. The Choral Fantasy

Beethoven dedicated the Fifth Symphony to two of his patrons, Prince Franz Joseph von Lobkowitz and Count Razumovsky. The dedication appeared in the first printed edition of April 1809.

Christian Thielemann has a bit of a reputation as an eccentric. Some of these eccentricities found their way into performances in his early years. DGG and the Philharmonia gave him a shot recording Schumann and Beethoven and the performances made a bit of a splash. Thielemann's reputation has grown considerably since then (and his performances more mainstream and scrupulous). He was recently appointed Music Director of the Dresden Staatskapelle and is Musical 'Advisor' to the Bayreuth Festival.

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Music

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• Beethoven
• Symphony
• Christian
• Thielemann
• Vienna
• Philharmonic
• Orchestra

[metropolitan1966]

Magnificently played. The sound of the Vienna Philharmonic is my favorite orchestral timbre. The playing and conducting is out of this world! So nice to hear Beethoven played with sweep and romantic yearnings and not the usual post-modern "authentic" posturing/bs which pollutes so much of classical performances today. Please upload the first movement of this great piece!!!! Thanks.

[GITTUCK77]

Ed Balls is a much better conductor than a politician!

[MrDanielgoncalves]

relaxing music....