The Symphony opens like a roll of thunder on a cloudless day, with the Fate motive.
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Three short, fast notes are followed by a lower, and much longer note. This motive, which opens Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, is, without doubt, one of the most famous. And, the Fifth Symphony is one of the most popular, admired, and beloved works in Beethoven's entire symphonic repertory.
It is quite astonishing how Beethoven transforms this tiny rhythmic idea into a real gold mine, from which flows an endless variety of themes, forms, textures, variations, and so much more.
This "Di Di Di Daaa" motive is first thundered by the clarinets and string sections in unison. The last note of the motive (the fourth one) is prolonged by the fermata sign, which appears above it. This fermata sign contrasts the last note with the first three short notes.
After this first surprise, the orchestra thunders again, repeating the rhythmic motive with the same instruments in unison. However, this time the motive is played a step lower. The long note here is even longer than in the preceding rhythmic motive, preparing us for the relentless drive which awaits us.
These two initial pronouncements of the motive form a descending sequence.
