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.
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Love and friendship
What does it mean to say goodbye to a creature that doesn’t know you’re leaving?
13 minutes
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Music
A riveting audiovisual dive into what makes sounds harmonious, or not
28 minutes
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Life stages
Grief, healing and laughter coexist at a unique retreat for widows and widowers
15 minutes
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Progress and modernity
Moving from Tibet to Beijing, Drolma reconciles big dreams with harsh realities
31 minutes
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Mathematics
Spiral into the ‘golden ratio’ – and separate the myths from the maths
4 minutes
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Consciousness and altered states
What do screens depicting serene natural scenes mean to those living in lock-up?
12 minutes
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Architecture
A lush tour of Fallingwater – the Frank Lloyd Wright design that changed architecture
14 minutes
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Family life
A mother and child bond in an unusual prison visitation space in this poignant portrait
11 minutes
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Gender
A catchy tune explains the world’s ‘isms’ – according to your mum doing the laundry
5 minutes