‘Dun dun dun duuun!’ Why Beethoven’s Fifth sticks in the head and stirs the heart
Featuring an unforgettable opening motif – ‘dun dun dun duuun’ is just one of the myriad ways it’s been expressed in writing – Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No 5 in C minor, Op 6 (aka ‘Beethoven’s Fifth’) remains one of the world’s most famous pieces of music, long after its premiere in Vienna in 1808. This lively animation from TED-Ed explores the rich musicality of the piece, as well as its place in history and context in the life of its composer, to show how, beyond its memorable hook, it is a work of true artistic innovation and mastery.
videoDemography and migration
The volunteers who offer a last line of care for migrants at a contentious border
30 minutes
videoLove and friendship
What does it mean to say goodbye to a creature that doesn’t know you’re leaving?
13 minutes
videoMusic
A riveting audiovisual dive into what makes sounds harmonious, or not
28 minutes
videoLife stages
Grief, healing and laughter coexist at a unique retreat for widows and widowers
15 minutes
videoProgress and modernity
Moving from Tibet to Beijing, Drolma reconciles big dreams with harsh realities
31 minutes
videoMathematics
Spiral into the ‘golden ratio’ – and separate the myths from the maths
4 minutes
videoConsciousness and altered states
What do screens depicting serene natural scenes mean to those living in lock-up?
12 minutes
videoArchitecture
A lush tour of Fallingwater – the Frank Lloyd Wright design that changed architecture
14 minutes
videoFamily life
A mother and child bond in an unusual prison visitation space in this poignant portrait
11 minutes