German Record Critic's Award - Quarterly Choice 2/2020.
Featuring
Andrew Manze
NDR Radiophilharmonie
Ludwig van Beethoven
Did you know?
1/7
Composer Biography
Beethoven, who was quick to temperamental outbursts and by this point reconciled to living in complete deafness, composed the Seventh Symphony with unexpected joy.
Historical Context
Beethoven worked on his Fifth Symphony during a turbulent period in European history, with Vienna suffering occupation by Napoleon's troops in late 1805.
Cultural Impact
The opening Allegro of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony features the globally-recognized rhythmic motive: short-short-short-long.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded at the Großer Sendesaal des NDR Landesfunkhaus Hannover in January and March 2019.
Compositional Technique
The Fifth Symphony was critical in solving 'das Finaleproblem' for German music historians: how to counterbalance the weight of an opening sonata-allegro movement with a substantial finale.
Critical Reception
The Fifth Symphony premiered without much critical notice at a massive four-hour concert held days before Christmas 1808.
Composition History
Beethoven dedicated his Fifth Symphony to two generous patrons: Prince Lobkowitz and Count Razumovsky, Russia's chief diplomat at the Habsburg court.
