Beethoven Symphony No. 5

Beethoven Symphony No. 5

Author: Joshua Weilerstein August 1, 2024 Duration: 1:05:06
Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast
MusicArtsPerforming

They are the most famous 8 notes in not only Western Music, but probably in all of music. If you walk down the street and ask someone to name a painting, they might say the Mona Lisa.  A movie?  Maybe Star Wars.  A piece of classical music?  Certainly, it would be Beethoven 5.  But why?  What makes those 8 notes so arrestingly powerful?  Well, this week, we're going to take a deep look at this ubiquitous piece, exploring lots of different questions.  What inspired Beethoven to write such a piece (a hint here, it probably wasn't fate knocking at the door)?  How was this symphony different from everything that came before it?  What influence did it have on composers of the future?  What are the OTHER 3 movements of the symphony like, since many people only know the first movement?  This symphony is monumentally important because in many ways it serves as the fulcrum between the classical and romantic eras. It is the most quoted piece of classical music there is, and it remains the most played symphony in the world. Today on this show from the archives, we're going to be exploring this symphony including new material that includes discoveries I've made about the symphony only in the last year or so, including the impact that the French Revolution had on the conception of this symphony. Join us!


There’s a particular kind of curiosity that draws people to classical music, but the sheer scale of the repertoire can feel overwhelming. Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast, hosted by conductor Joshua Weilerstein, meets that curiosity right where it is. Think of it as a series of open conversations about the music itself, designed to be equally engaging for someone hearing a symphony for the first time and for a lifelong devotee. Episodes might feature a thoughtful interview with a performing artist, offering a glimpse behind the curtain, or they could focus entirely on a single piece, peeling back its layers to explore why it resonates. Weilerstein guides these explorations with clarity and enthusiasm, moving seamlessly from foundational concepts to more nuanced details about different musical eras. The entire premise of this podcast is built on a genuine belief that this music belongs to all of us. It’s about replacing any sense of intimidation with connection and understanding. While past seasons are gradually being re-released, each episode stands as its own invitation to listen more deeply.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 284

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Shostakovich Symphony No. 5, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:06
Shostakovich's life and career was so wrapped up with his relationship to the Soviet government that it is sometimes hard to appreciate that, all else aside, he was one of the great 20th century composers. His 5th sympho…
Ysaye Sonatas for Solo Violin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:50
If you're not a violinist, you might not be familiar with the name Eugene Ysaye. But this violinist and composer was called "The King of the Violin" at the turn of the 20th century. Ysaye's biggest compositional achievem…
Mahler Symphony No. 1, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:31
This week, on part 2 of this look at Mahler 1, we're going to take a deep dive into the third and fourth movements of this massive and massively ambitious symphony. We'll talk about Frere Jacques, bizarre woodcuts, Klezm…
Mahler Symphony No. 1, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:07
No one makes a grand statement quite like Gustav Mahler, and his first symphony, nearly an hour long, was one of the boldest statements ever made by a young composer. Today I'll take a look at the history behind the earl…
The Music of Heinrich Schutz (and Brahms!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:03
There are composers whose influence outstrips their popularity. The Baroque composer Heinrich Schutz falls into this group, due to his total focus on writing sacred vocal music. But for those who know his music, he is es…
Bartok Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celeste [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:54
Bartok's Music for Strings Percussion and Celeste is a perfect encapsulation of Bartok's musical output. Each movement provides us with a magnifying glass into some of the qualities that made Bartok one of the greatest c…
Bach Transformed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:01
Arrangements of Bach's music have been happening essentially since his music was "rediscovered" by Mendelssohn in the 19th century. But Mozart and Beethoven arranged Bach's music too, and Bach himself would recycle works…
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3, "Scottish" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:38
Mendelssohn was only 20 years old when he wrote to his friend Karl Klingemann: "...I am going to Scotland, with a rake for folk songs, an ear for the lovely, fragrant countryside, and a heart for the bare legs of the nat…
Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:12
Rachmaninoff's music is often described as many different kinds of chocolate cake, but this piece, if it's chocolatey at all, would be that 85% dark chocolate - more bitter than sweet. It might be Rachmaninoff's greatest…
Shostakovich Symphony No. 11, "The Year 1905" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:38
In 1956, Dmitri Shostakovich wrote: "I am now writing my 11th symphony, dedicated to the First Russian Revolution...I would like in this work to reflect the soul of the people who first paved the way to socialism." Sovie…

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