Did Beethoven compose his 5th Symphony in the Classical era or the Romantic era?

Question

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and please elaborate so i know that you're no BSing me :)

Answer 1

Beethoven composed his 5th symphony between 1804 and 1808, slightly before the Romantic era which is believed to have started in 1815 (though the Classical period didn't end until 1820). However, the 5th has strong elements of Romanticism within it and probably helped further the drive towards it. For instance one of the defining motifs of Romantic music is Sturm und Drang (storm and stress) something the 5th possesses in large amounts. Beethoven is widely regarded as being a composer who pushed the boundaries of Classicism by his use of minor keys, chromaticism and modulation to distant keys.

So although not truly Romantic I'd describe is as romanticised (with a small R) Classical music. At any rate it's certainly a piece within the crossover.

Answer 2

The Romantic Era started in 1820. He composed it in the early 1800s and performed it in December of 1808. So it was the Classical.

Answer 3

Classic because it was composed before 1820 which is the end of the classic era. However, aside of just playing with numbers, it can also be regarded as romantic because of its structure in some parts.