Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven)

Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C Minor was written in 1804-1808. In the catalog of Beethoven's works it is Opus 67. The symphony is one of the most popular and well-known compositions in all of classical music, and is

Related Topics:
Ludwig van Beethoven - 1804 - 1808 - Opus - Compositions

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frequently performed and recorded.

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The symphony achieved its reputation soon after its first performance in 1808; it was described at the time by E.T.A. Hoffmann as "one of the most important works of the age."

Related Topics:
1808 - E.T.A. Hoffmann

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The symphony begins with a very well-known four-note motif:

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:

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Because of the motif's resemblance to the Morse code for the letter V (dot dot dot dash), it was used as a shorthand for the word "victory" to open the BBC's radio broadcasts during World War II, an idea of William Stephenson's.

Related Topics:
Morse code - BBC - World War II - William Stephenson's

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