Beethoven's Symphony #5 Turns 200

200 Years Today this was first performed. #5 is one of the top all time favorites - ever!

Pictured is the Vienna Theater in the 19th. century.

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Ludwig Beethoven (1770-1827) was one of the all time greats of Music. The symphony was first performed on December 22, 1808 at the Vienna Theater. LB conducted the orchestra himself. Two symphonies premiered that night. The Sixth was performed first; the Fifth second. That the night, the show bombed. The building was cold; the audience exhausted by the lengthy performance (4 hours for both symphonies.) LB had to stop the orchestra at one point and regroup. It wasn't until months later that people realized that this was one of the great masterpieces of history.

The Wikipedia article about him is pretty good. Also visit the Beethoven Depot. Finally, here's the lowdown on the 5th. Symphony.