Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5

It is his greatest hit, and at the same time a complete misunderstanding: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony with the famous opening motif in C minor, “ta-ta-ta-taaaaa”. How often has it been suggested that this represents destiny knocking on the door! “No”, says conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt in contradiction, “this symphony is about the uprising of the masses. In this sense it is Beethoven’s most political symphony, more even than the Eroica.“ The work begins with the famously stern opening motif, but culminates after four movements in a radiant, jubilant major key – triumph over all darkness and danger, a victory anthem, an ode to freedom.