Motivic material in L. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor Op. 67
The Fate Motif
1st. Movement
1. 8 note motif
[audio:http://www.jaimeoliver.pe/snd/s5-1-main-idea-8.mp3]
2. 6 note reduction
[audio:http://www.jaimeoliver.pe/snd/s5-2-main-idea-6.mp3]
3. 2 note reduction
[audio:http://www.jaimeoliver.pe/snd/s5-3-main-idea-2-and-1.mp3]
2nd. Movement
1. Theme B
[audio:http://www.jaimeoliver.pe/snd/s5-m2.mp3]
3rd. Movement
1. Theme b
[audio:http://www.jaimeoliver.pe/snd/s5-m3.mp3]
Extended:
4th. Movement
1. Theme 2
[audio:http://www.jaimeoliver.pe/snd/s5-m4-1.mp3]
2. Development Section
[audio:http://www.jaimeoliver.pe/snd/s5-m4-2.mp3]
3. Further Developments
[audio:http://www.jaimeoliver.pe/snd/s5-m4-2-2.mp3]
Questions and ideas for thought:
1. How does the fate motif work in the larger narrative of the piece? (Compare for example the very beginning (in mvt 1) of the symphony to the very end (in mvt 4) | hint: does any theme win? any tonality?)
2. Also, think about how the fate motif is used as a basic building block to construct themes throughout the whole symphony…