Beethoven, Symphony 5, 1st movement

Ludwig van Beethoven's Fifth Symphony 5, first movement, with a graphical score.
FAQ
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A: There are several ways:
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Q: Where can I get free sheet music for this piece?
A: Here:
tinyurl.com/beetop67
Q: What do the colors in the bar-graph score mean?
A: The colors show which instruments are playing. Here's a chart:
www.musanim.com/pdf/Instrument...
Q: How did you make this video?
A: There were a lot of steps; here's a short summary. I found a recording I could license and made the arrangements to use it. I found a MIDI file that was fairly complete, and imported that into the notation program Sibelius. I compared it to a printed copy of the score from my library and fixed things that were wrong (b5_fullscore.pdf is a snapshot taken during this process; note that there was a piano part in the MIDI file --- not something in the real score). Then, I listened to the recording and compared that to the score, and modified the score so that the timings were more like what the orchestra was actually playing (see b5_timings_adjusted.pdf). I exported this as a MIDI file and ran it through my custom frame-rendering software. Then, I made a "reduction" of the score (b5_reduction.pdf) and colored it to match the colors I was planning to use in the bar-graph score (b5_reduction_color.pdf). Unfortunately, when I squished the bar-graph score enough to make room for the notation score, too much detail was lost, so I ended up deciding not to use the notation. Then I put all the pieces (rendered frames, audio, titles) together in Adobe Premiere and exported the movie as a QuickTime file. Then, I used On2 Flix to convert the final file into Flash format (so that KZbin's conversion to their Flash format wouldn't change it in unpredictable ways), and uploaded the result. The PDFs mentioned in this description are in this ZIP file:
www.musanim.com/pdf/b5_scores.zip
Q: You seem to have uploaded many versions of this piece ... what's going on?
A: I started out with this one in 2009:
• Beethoven, Symphony 5,...
When KZbin supported higher resolution videos, I did a remake:
• Video
Then, I started experimenting with other graphics; this one uses a fisheye effect:
• Beethoven, 5th Symphon...
This one shows dynamics, using an "egg" design:
• Beethoven, 5th Symphon...
This one shows dynamics, using a "triangle" (rhombus) design:
• Beethoven, Symphony 5,...
Q: Could you please make a video of ________?
A: Please read this:
www.musanim.com/requests/

[@smalin]

“But what have you done lately?” www.musanim.com/KZbinHighlights/

[@eboone]

epic

[@user-up5pq6xd6q]

smalin

[@user-vh4jj1mu3u]

smalin

[@user-vh4jj1mu3u]

@@eboone @ebenW

[@orangerainbowfriend653]

I have been making youtube videos on my youtube channel.

[@NoahJohnson1810]

This is his 5th symphony. The roman numeral for 5 is "V". In morse code, "V" is • • • -. That's how this piece starts!!

[@smalin]

Cool fact: Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, 1808 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._5_(Beethoven) Morse Code, 1836 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morse_code

[@smalin]

Do you have any evidence that a code system invented prior to Morse Code assigned • • • - to the letter V? Everything I've ever seen has said that it's either a coincidence, or that Morse chose the code based on Beethoven. (www.cmuse.org/beethovens-fifth-symphony-and-morse-code/) Why would Beethoven's audience be "well versed in morse code" decades before Morse developed the telegraph? It sounds to me like you're just making stuff up.

[@smalin]

Did you not see this in the Wikipedia article for Morse Code: Some thirty years after this piece was written, the rhythm of the opening phrase - "dit-dit-dit-dah" - was used for the letter "V" in Morse code, though this is probably also coincidental."

[@NoahJohnson1810]

smalin It's just what my music history teacher/phd said. Maybe he was wrong. haha :) Yes, upon further review, it appears you are definitely right. I'll tell him and see what he says!

[@NoahJohnson1810]

There, I have changed my comment only to include the cool thing and not what my professor told me. Sorry if I offended you.

[@MultiFaolan]

I loved watching this because you can actually _see_ how complex this piece is. It has made me more grateful for this music ^.^

[@stfwho]

Rebbie Ada that's what I've always said about games like Rock Band. I was always a major Beatles fan ever since I heard Sgt Pepper's and Abbey Road as a young teenager, but 5 years later when the Beatles RB game came out, I could appreciate the arrangements so much more vividly with both senses. Great experience :)

[@MarlynDeQueen]

same here!!😃

[@Fridasofie]

Try looking at the sheet music for this piece instead.

[@claudiasolomon1123]

Complex = good.

[@j121212100]

this is also a very great performance of this movement and somehow the visualization helps you hear the textures and layers to the sound.

[@NukE30]

Many people don't understand how beautiful this is. As I commented on one video before, all his music is so deep and filled with feelings of joy and sorrow... So beautiful.

[@TAS34232]

It's amazing how seeing the graph allows me to hear each note better. Outstanding!

[@smalin]

I'm so glad you find it helpful. This is why musicians enjoy following scores when they listen to music.

[@markyounger1240]

That is brilliant. It really helps you appreciate how complex that piece is and how talented Beethoven was.

[@OkieTeacher918]

I love how you can see all the various parts of the piece. It's so amazing that a human being can create something so perfect!

[@thepassablegatsby]

This is an incredible graphic to accompany the music. Bravo!

[@phoenixhive]

Listening to this for music appreciation and Beethoven really popped off with this one it's a banger

[@angeli7247]

real bc same

[@johannaalt9791]

The most famous and one of the best pieces by Beethoven. Amazing!

[@wissensbox]

Notice the Contrast at 0:50 this rapid Moodchange brings so many Emotions into this Masterpiece. OMFG it's just AAAAaaammaaaazzzing!!!!!!!!

[@robertwingfield8780]

The complexity and beauty of this music is truly astounding. It's baffling that some people can't appreciate this amazing piece. Great work putting together the animation as well. It goes very well with the piece.

[@bgmechanix4272]

Listening could be considered a skill or talent with many components, that varies in individuals with a number of factors, and one that can be refined and enhanced through practice, chemistry, etc. And yes -- Beethoven kicked ass and took names. The climaxes following 06:09 are awe-inspiring.

[@TheItalianAtheist]

This is arguably one of the highest, if not the highest at all, musical expressions of the Western civilisation.

[@RaduOleniuc]

European.

[@peterjongsma2754]

This is a whole new way to listen to music. Fantastic . You can get deep inside the rhythm and the harmony.

[@RIXRADvidz]

now go look at his whole back catalog. you're going to enjoy yourself

[@peterjongsma2754]

@@RIXRADvidz I'm humming along to the bass lines. Fun.

[@donutsacrifice2588]

This is honestly my absolute favorite version of this song. Great work, Smalin!

[@TheItalianAtheist]

It's not a song. It's perhaps the greatest symphony of the Western culture :)

[@nguyenthanhha860]

Nothing can describe how much great this orchestra is!

[@AntonioCostaAmaral]

no fisheye effect. no fancy obfuscation. pure visualization. that's the way you do it.

[@MindFloCounsellingTherap-iu7sp]

Oh my word, so this my assignment for the week. i have listened to this before now i have to say somrthing about it

[@orangerainbowfriend653]

This is a great video because you can see all the notes.

[@smalin]

Go to my website (musanim dot com) and download the MAM MIDI Player.

[@darel6719]

enjoyed the animations. Bet it was a LOT of work to get it all syncranized . good work and good music

[@smalin]

Work? Yes ... it's my life's work ...

[@cincplug]

This is one of my favorite video's from this series, it's just as simple and determined as the movement itself

[@irfankhan-in9lg]

"Great", is such a small word for compliment. What a tremendous visual presentation of greatest composition ever in the history of mankind. Thanks. May your creativity flourish and lives on!

[@aboiboiboi6514]

irfan khan :)

[@heathersrigley2568]

Graphical score! What a great idea to show the complexity, intricacy, number of different instruments - alignment and speed needed for perfect harmony. Genius.

[@jessicat2304]

This is how I listen to music. I hear all the layers. It's so colorful !

[@HashimAziz1]

Colourful literally?

[@jessicat2304]

yes colorfullll......

[@HashimAziz1]

Do you mean figuratively, or do you actually see music as colour?

[@jessicat2304]

I mean it figuratively. I don't know what other way to explain it. Not trying to sound like a weirdo lol.

[@HashimAziz1]

Lol, don't be daft, you said it fine, I just wanted to clarify. I thought you might have had a form of synesthesia, and that that was why you described it as colourful. My bad. :P

[@bjacobs9199]

I have enjoyed this for so many years. Just returned to it again, and it's like an old friend. Genius work, Smalin!

[@nyasiamcginnis3047]

Watching this for music class

[@nuuttiaaltonen7617]

Me too

[@alexsargeant2497]

Sane

[@alexsargeant2497]

Same*

[@MsDripCoffee]

This is my favorite symphony. The fall and rise is so interesting. Awesome watching the video and seeing the colors light up. 🎷🎸🎹🎺🎻🎤🎼♪♫♬♩🎶🎵📯

[@thomastaylor3498]

What's amazing is the fact that Beethoven was completely deaf, and yet he wrote some of the most beautiful compositions ever in the history of music.

[@smalin]

I would put it differently: some people are amazed by the fact that musicians can hear music in their heads by looking at a score (the same way that non-musicians can hear poetry in their head when they read it). Beethoven often wrote music away from the piano (before he lost his hearing), and so did many other composers. Not being able to imagine what written music sounds like (without hearing it being played) is the same kind of limitation for a composer that not being able to imagine what words mean (without hearing them read aloud) would be for a writer.

[@TheItalianAtheist]

@@smalin Anyway, Beethoven's hearing started to deteriorate in 1801 when he was 31; in 1804, when he started to compose the 5th, he had hints of deafness but wasn't completely deaf; actually there are account that the almost total loss of hearing was around 1814-16, so he could hear when he composed the 5th. He was pratically deaf when he composed the 9th, rather, though he was never completely deaf, keeping a small bit of hearing.

[@famouspigeon]

BEAST OF A TUNE. What a fucking drop. Beethoven's the OG

[@Just_A_Dude]

Dude, Baroque is just Metal written before electric instruments were invented. Look up Dark Moor's version of Vivaldi's Winter.

[@jonathans.9713]

This Classical music is captivating, emotionally stimulating, and astounding in the First Movement of the 5th Symphony. Beethoven is a genius to bring and write together notes and instruments to sound wonderful. Thank you Smalin for putting together the graphics view of the music. It is a neat way to see how the notes from the instruments work and the patterns of the notes play out. This style is cool. Jonathan Sciano

[@mmaderia]

I absolutely love what you do with these videos. Tracking the indivudual instruments along these lines gives a real sense of the complexity and brilliance of the music. I"ve listened to the 9th a lot; in fact I'm writing a book on it, and it truly helps to see the music in this way. Thank you!

[@queenieluli]

Genre - Symphony Form - Sonata Meter - Duple

[@curt3494]

I love the video......what a great way to visually represent the unbelievable complexity of the music.

[@smalin]

The story I've read is that when he conducted the premiere of the 9th, one of the members of the orchestra had to turn him around to see the audience applauding, since he couldn't hear it. In my book, that counts as "deaf."

[@jericksinkhorn]

Thank you so much for posting this. Very exciting to see such an amazing work graphically depicted this way. Made my morning.

[@jsonr]

When learning about composing techniques (eg sequence, augmentation etc) my music teacher showed us this video about 4-5 months ago.

[@waldstein1585]

Wow beethoven.. how could a human think all those harmonies simultaneously?

[@John-Adams]

Because God exists.

[@raychuuu]

@@John-Adams REEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@lynny64]

You are amazing. It is so wonderful to be able to see the components that make up such beautiful music.

[@JayToGo]

Thank you so much. This is such a treat. Brilliant music + Understanding the structure thru visualization = Heaven.

[@minh9545]

Cant get enough of this.

[@BF-gd3jv]

No one can

[@gericho6071]

who else is here doing homework

[@solypsist3280]

I was watching the video and following parts to see the movements of the melody. Then I suddently stopped watching and only listened to it, and I felt the emotions so much that I almost cried. It's ok to understand a song and to be able to follow every melody, but sometimes you just have to let the mind flow on the music to really get it's beauty!

[@MarikTheGentleDemon]

overwhelming... this sound ran unfiltered through my body and actually put two tears in my eyes...

[@Lady_Edwardia]

I love Beethoven's pieces, this one is no exception!

[@doxuanhoang8767]

5:54 RIP trombone

[@ze_rubenator]

Yeah I just saw it actually. It's so nice because you can easily separate the different instrument groups, and see exactly who plays exactly what. I find myself studying your videos over and over again, focusing on different instruments each time and listening to what roles they play and how they affect the texture. Now when I look at a regular score I automatically see colored bars scrolling past my eyes.

[@erolfaguilar879]

Symphony no. 5 in C minor, Opus 67 is my best Beethoven symphony for me. The 1st movement is a supermasterpiece to me with its ominous four-note motif at the beginning of the piece with a powerful and a heroic emotion and the 2nd movement, which is light and calm but has a romantic emotion then the 3rd movement, which has the main theme played by the horn that resembles the four-note motif from the 1st movement and its notable for segueing into the 4th movement without a pause. The 4th has a bright and a radiant emotion played in the key of C major. In the end, it has a long coda repeating many chords of the C major and a bursting loud coda lasting about 7 to 10 seconds is heard at the end of the symphony.

[@beatviolin]

This is brilliant.

[@FightingTorque411]

Happy 250th, Luddy Van!

[@rchentres]

Fantastic! Visualizing the music adds a new dimension to the enjoyment of the 5th. Keep up the great work!

[@ozartbeats5429]

amazing how he can go from high explosive sounds to so calm, so smoothly.

[@robruna4041]

Absolutely awesomeeeee!

[@russellwalker3830]

When you pause it after staring for long it looks like it's going in reverse

[@smalin]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_aftereffect

[@KL-is3op]

Yeah it does

[@cathylee7267]

Oh, my god!!!!!! I saw this like 13 times and it's NOT boring!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will never forget this!!! Beethoven is a awesome writer!!!

[@monkylicious]

This piece is so amazing. It moves me in ways I can't even explain.

[@annschastlivaya]

12 years ago... Wow... It's a wonderful and today too. Hard, but very interesting. And beautiful. I love music of Beethoven like this sonata or not more famous "Für Elisa". Because they just so gorgeous. Hard and gorgeous. And long, that make me to feel...how this was hard to write and play. And you're work make me feel something like that too. I would like to say you: "And 12 years ago, Thank You!" Thank You. Unn. 04.03.22, 22:33, Russia, Izhevsk.

[@andrewchoe4902]

Truly a freking genius both smalin and beethoven

[@TheMinkie123]

I might've misread smalin for stalin thousands of times now.

[@Strychine]

I myself stood on my chair, pretending to direct (or whatever it is called in english) the orchestra. It was magnificent!

[@catalinasaubaber9742]

Beautiful

[@TheInspirationShow]

Incredible song that keeps on giving. Thanks for sharing!

[@babylonm1963]

3:03 till 3:20 This argument is killing me

[@mark07hg]

Este video es tan relajante... Excelente!

[@jianfongyaw]

This movement of "Beethoven's 5th" sounds very emotionally intense... I LOVE IT!

[@FuzzyPeach73]

I love how you broke down the music into parts and colors...so beautiful! I'm used to reading it off a page, but this definitely gives a new perspective, even to pieces I've memorized.

[@frobstube]

exquisite channel. A gift to music.

[@hadhromiy2harits]

6:15 is the best part for me

[@patri4427]

0:52 my fav part xd

[@TheCaptainAlmight131]

I did not expect an intellectual debate in KZbin's comments. And for that, I tip my hat to all of you fine gentlemen. I am glad that none of you have resorted to exclamations and capitals, and continue to use fine grammar. I am not impressed that you are doing as you do, but I am certainly glad to see intelligent people still exist in places like KZbin, a pit of idiocy. You all have improved my week. Thank you.

[@Ndlnieto]

Perfect speed, and a brilliant performance in my opinion. Bravo!

[@GIACOMOP140]

Sorprendente come Beethoven parta da una banale cellula tematica e vi costruisca un capolavoro...

[@Kherian888]

An immortal masterpiece from an immortal genius ! thx !

[@mosesmosestv]

This graphical representation is the best: the simple lines. Bravo!

[@ArchAngel028]

@smalin thanks for posting this so much, i REALLY enjoyed it.

[@dreambig1352]

When the opening motive is not a clear part of the main musical idea..as is the case, for example, at 0:53 and 2:20, where and how might a related musical figure still be present?

[@NightOwlI]

@AlphaX bruh I still dont know how have you figured it out yet?

[@raboin1]

this is great.

[@sarbuboo]

I just listened to this for an assignment in class. I absolutely loved it, I'm so glad i looked at this. Liked and Favorited, a true masterpiece.

[@daytonbarnett5316]

This is absolutely stunning, great work putting this together

[@smalin]

If you like this, you might want to try some of my more recent work, like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3u9g2xnjsyad9k

[@matheussanches702]

Fantástico 👏

[@frederickevans4560]

Magnifique

[@tonynikon]

Hi Mr. Smalin, I love to listen to this Symphony. The 5th was the first record I bought when I was 13. My family isn't fond of classics, and screamed at me if I put it loud. My dad's prefference was daily news instead of music. When I was 27, I'd aswered an ad, asking for voices to sing Der Mesiah and I can read some basic music score and play Beethoven's Fur Elise. With this as my background, perhaps you'll understand my words better. I like the Music Animatron. Very much indeed. TBC

[@SabrinaFoxSpirit]

Thank you for the graphical score. Love that!

[@nickescobar6069]

who are the people disliking these vids lol like why you gotta diss the man like 213 years after it came out

[@hallofallomallo1289]

Probs people who need to do this for school

[@aghaanantyab]

the most epic part starts from 6:08

[@animaux7842]

Ah, I see you too are a person of culture. It is the part that many orchestras never get the power and conviction into that the part really needs.

[@winteronyxnight]

3:00 is my favorite part i think, it starts of soft and gradually crescendos to this awesome huge climax... and then leads into call and response

[@Nickster63]

Easily my favourite symphonic work of all time. Just classic and iconic.

[@joeunited1]

This is great.

[@extraaltaccount2329]

Best version yet.

[@mgdubstepmg3924]

Extra Alt account lol

[@heatherfrost9750]

this supper good and ralaxing. I absalotly love it!!!!

[@benjaminevans3984]

I love this symphony. Simply spectacular!

[@Gablesman888]

Professional French horn players must really love performing this work.

[@MusicLover-kq7gj]

I’m sorry this too late for your exam; I hope you did well! You can’t tell from the visual, but crescendo means the volume gets higher as the note is being played. Forte means loud; piano means soft. It’s too bad the colors can’t get more intense as the volume increases; pastels for soft, and dark, intense colors for higher volume. Anyway, this is an interesting way to experience the music!

[@smalin]

The problem with "pastels for soft, and dark, intense colors for higher volume" is that our perception of sound and our perception of light don't match up in a straightforward way. If I mapped loudness directly to color intensity, most of the meaningful differences in loudness (accents, crescendos, etc.) would be invisible. There's probably a way to do this, but I haven't figured out how to do it yet.

[@argvan1823]

Thanks! Great visual representation of the genius of Maestro Beethoven...

[@1970vlad]

Thank you so much !! this really help to understand the complexity of this masterpiece and what a genius he was...

[@TheItalianAtheist]

That’s how destiny knocks on your door.

[@cloudyclouds6397]

I’m watching this for school Lmao

[@ravpanda037]

what class?

[@cloudyclouds6397]

Music

[@annaserale9850]

same

[@rhys9935]

Same

[@v1ncebutv1nce13]

Same

[@brocanova]

Amazing! This is how I "see" music when I hear it! No matter what kind of. Can't thank you enough.

[@kyakokeshi6501]

I just randomly found this looking for classical music for myself. and thought wow. This is awesome to send to my friend, who is deaf, and possibility would be able to enjoy this. Thank you so much :)

[@jcw1348]

this is a wonderful resource. It allows even musically untrained people to get a visual sense of how the music is made. Hope there are more to come in the future!

[@smalin]

www.musanim.com/KZbinHighlights/

[@johnsunde4339]

@@smalin Stefan and I have had a few chances over some years to thank him for the visual beauty he bestows us of our cherished music and that has enriched us beyond what our ears hear and our singularly focused brain could appreciate. My applause Stefan. Whether Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi or any of our other blessings.

[@rachelliu8148]

5:59 when that one kid reminds the teacher that there was homework

[@Dw99979]

Wonderful, absolutely wonderful

[@clintonlynch4121]

I love ever note and it never gets old.