What is Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 about?

Answer 1

Although the previous two contributors are not completely wrong, Beethoven himself never actually revealed any programme for the Fifth Symphony. The idea of a fate motif was fabricated by people later on. Like all of his symphonies except the 3rd (Eroica), 6th (Pastoral) and the final movement of the 9th, with its setting of Schiller's 'Ode to Joy', the Fifth is a piece of 'absolute music'. This means music for music's sake without a specific programmatic intention.

Answer 2

How about the fact that while writing this symphony, he was rapidly loosing his hearing.Beethoven would take the legs off of his piano, and lay on top of it on the floor trying desperately to hear the sounds it would make. When he finished writing his fifth symphony , Beethoven was completely deaf. It is of general opinion that The Fifth symphony reflects Beethoven's anguish and torment over not being able to hear the beautiful music he had written.
The saddest thing of all was that when he finished conducting the premiere of this symphony, the first chair had to turn him around to take his bow for a standing ovation from the audience. He was not aware of the applause or the bravos they cheered for him.

Answer 3

When first composed, it was a very stormy peace that ended in resolution. However, today it is viewed as a representation of Fate, especially in the first movement. The famous four note motif is found throughout the symphony, starting as a dark character in the first movement, but by the end, it is transformed into a triumphant fanfare!

Answer 4

Redeemer is correct - its main theme represent fate and the work is about man's struggle with predisposition.

Answer 5

...musicologists have concluded this fate motif was a fraud.......people named it, no permission by Beethoven.