What to Listen For

Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67, I

Heres what to listen for in the first movement of Beethovens Fifth Symphony in C minor.

Sonata-allegro form (exposition, development, and recapitulation) with a coda

In this work, Beethoven used sonata- allegro form, which was the most common first-movement
form in symphonies at that time. Sonata-allegro form begins with the exposition (where you get to
hear contrasting themes). Listen to the fiery first theme in a minor key [0:00 0:18] and how it is dif-
ferent from the quieter and smoother second theme in a major key [0:461:06]. The exposition
ends with a closing theme that sounds like this [1:071:26].

After the exposition repeats, youll hear the development where the themes from the exposition
are heard in different ways. Listen for the first theme introduced by the horns and then played by a
variety of instruments in ascending and descending motion: [2:543:25].

The third section of sonata-allegro form is the recapitulation, in which the themes from the exposi-
tion return in the home key. Heres the fiery first theme from the exposition [0:00 0:18]. Listen to
how it is played more deliberately and with an added oboe part when it returns in the recapitula-
tion: [4:17 4:37]. Now, heres the second theme from the exposition [0:461:06]. Listen to how the
second theme sounds at lower pitch levels in the recapitulation [5:155:40]. The closing theme also
returns in a different key: listen to the closing theme from the exposition: [1:071:26]; now listen to
the closing theme from the recapitulation: [5:415:58].

Sonata-allegro form often ends with a coda, or a section of music that extends beyond what you
originally heard in the exposition. Listen to the beginning of the coda, which returns to the minor
key: [5:58 6:41].

Four-note motive used as melody and rhythmic accompaniment throughout

this movement
Listen again to the short-short-short-long rhythm of the opening motive: [0:00 0:03]. Notice how
the fiery first theme is made up of many statements of that opening theme strung together one
after the other: [0:00 0:18]. When you listen to the second theme, notice how the short-short-
short-long rhythm appears as accompaniment. Listen to that rhythm played by instruments
accompanying the second theme: [0:461:06].

So remember to listen for the four-note motive as melody and rhythmic accompaniment through-
out this movement, which is in sonata- allegro form.

What to Listen For Tutorials by Jennifer Hund for The Enjoyment of Music, by Kristine Forney, Andrew DellAntonio, and
Joseph Machlis

n Copyright 2015 by W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

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