Beethoven's Fifth Symphony

Symphony in C minor
No. 5
by Ludwig van Beethoven
Cover of the symphony, with the dedication to Prince J. F. M. Lobkowitz and Count Rasumovsky
Catalogue	Op. 67
Style	Classical period
Composed	1804 (1804)–1808
Dedication	J. F. M. Lobkowitz A. Rasumovsky
Performed	22 December 1808, Vienna
Movements	Four

The Symphony No. 5 in C minor of Ludwig van Beethoven, Op. 67, was written between 1804–1808. It is one of the best-known compositions in classical music, and one of the most frequently played symphonies. First performed in Vienna's Theater an der Wien in 1808, the work achieved its prodigious reputation soon afterward. E. T. A. Hoffmann described the symphony as "one of the most important works of the time". The symphony consists of four movements. The first movement is Allegro con brio; the second movement is Andante con moto; the third movement is a Scherzo Allegro; the fourth movement is Allegro.

It begins by stating a distinctive four-note "short-short-short-long" motif twice: ( listen )

The symphony, and the four-note opening motif in particular, are known worldwide, with the motif appearing frequently in popular culture, from disco versions to rock and roll covers, to uses in film and television.