The secrets of the world’s most famous symphony - Hanako Sawada
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TEDEd Animation
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Eight ferocious notes open one of the most explosive pieces of music ever composed. Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony Number Five premiered in 1808, and quickly won acclaim. Its central motif and raw emotionality have continued to resound through the ages. So what exactly makes Beethoven’s Fifth so captivating? Hanako Sawada uncovers the story behind this musical masterpiece.
Beethoven composed primarily to express himself and earned a living almost solely from composing. Rather than having to teach and perform in addition to composing music, his compositions’ premieres and sales to publishers (rather than sponsorship by one wealthy patron or institution) made composing a full-time job for him. Why might it be significant that Beethoven became a “freelance composer,” which was less common in his time but the norm today?
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Meet The Creators
- Educator Hanako Sawada
- Director Yael Reisfeld
- Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
- Storyboard Artist Yael Reisfeld
- Animator Yael Reisfeld
- Compositor Yael Reisfeld
- Art Director Yael Reisfeld
- Composer Jarrett Farkas
- Sound Designer Jarrett Farkas
- Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
- Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
- Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
- Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
- Production Coordinator Abdallah Ewis
- Script Editor Iseult Gillespie
- Fact-Checker Jennifer Nam
