Why did beethoven write the 5th symphony?

Answer 1

The symphony begins with three short notes followed by one long one. Three dots and a dash is the Morse Code for the letter V. V is the Roman numeral for five (the Fifth Symphony) and stands for victory. All of that was just such a coincindence that it was irresistable in the popular imagination. It was also just too delicious an irony to use one of the great achievements of German culture as a symbol against the Germans.Michael Montagne

Answer 2

While German planes bombed England during the Battle of Britain, the English would listen to Beethoven's Fifth while hidden away in bomb shelters under the city. The irony of the British listening to a German composer to gain comfort and strength while German planes dropped bombs is something out of a Greek tragedy. The first four notes, the most famous in Classical Music--three short and one long--are the same as the "V" in Morse Code. "V" stood for victory. So, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony was helpful to the British during the Battle of Britain in World War II.

Answer 3

Beethoven's 5th is made memorable through a solid rhythmic foundation which is instantly recognizable and simple enough to immediately grasp. On top of this firm building block Beethoven adds melodic interval leaps to retain interest for the listener.

Answer 4

To the best of my knowledge, I don't believe that the Allied forces (I assume that you mean during World War II) used Beethoven's Fifth regularly as a sign of victory. However, Fate was used as the signal for Allied forces to prepare to invade Normandy on D-Day. It was played on French radio after a poem, which was the signal for the French resistance, and was the intended signal for the Normandy landings.

Answer 5

The opening and recurring rhythmic motif of three short notes with one long note is the same as the Morse code signal for the letter V (dot dot dot dash), and during WWII, V stood for victory.

Answer 6

Because it is absolutely pure, fantastic genius....

...the simple yet powerfull motif (bb b eeeeeeee) probably helped.

Answer 7

Beethoven wrote his 5th symphony to earn money. Beethoven was an excellent composer who was under high demand while he was alive.

Answer 8

It's said that he wrote that rhythm for victory. Dot, Dot, Dot, Dash I Morse code for the letter V, as in Victory.