I don’t know how many times I’ve told you all that something it just the greatest piece of music ever, but this time, I mean it.
Another article which I’m writing brought me to listen around to music that I haven’t gotten to in a little while. Well, actually, I have, just in passing. But in the course of dabbling today looking for a particular piece by Beethoven, I settled on his 5th Symphony. Not something I usually do, because as great as it is, I think it gets too much play. Still, in the process of listening I was reminded that within it could be found the greatest piece of music ever written – the 4th movement.
If you’ve listened to classical music at all (or even if you haven’t), you’re probably more familiar with the 1st movement of the 5th. You know – da da da daaaaaaah (as an aside, it’s the way I’ve always remembered the letter “V” in Morse code – dot dot dot dash – which is pretty cool cuz “V” is 5 in Roman numerals, eh?). The 1st movement is iconic – one of the most famous pieces of music ever written.
Yet, still not the best.
Beethoven wrote a lot of good stuff. And I suppose if I had listened to his 9th Symphony this morning I’d be writing about how that is the greatest piece of music ever written. But it isn’t. Beethoven’s 5th, 4th movement is. If only for the way it sneaks up on you. You’ve pretty much got to listen to it in conjunction with at least the end of the 3rd movement to appreciate its brilliance and power (and since the 3rd isn’t that long, you may as well put them both together).
Fortunately, I’ve found the piece – 3rd and 4th movements together – graphically depicted on YouTube. It’s a decent recording too (although I’ve heard others that are slightly better). The really cool thing though is that if you watch along you can see the complexity of the piece. You can see how it soars and swoops, and yes, how it sneaks up on you out of the 3rd movement – right around the 5 minute mark of the video.
Beethoven’s 5th, 4th movement is a triumph in music – the most glorious you’ll ever hear. I don’t even want to hear it if you think otherwise. I only want you to listen and agree.