If you’ve ever hummed “bah-bah-bah-BAH” (you know the one), you’ve met Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, one of the most recognizable pieces of music in the world. 

Written between 1804 and 1808 in Vienna, it opens with a dramatic four-note motif that many people interpret as “fate knocking at the door.” That powerful idea threads throughout the whole work as it moves from tension to triumph, making the symphony a dramatic journey of emotion and resilience. 

Beethoven’s Fifth became a cultural touchstone. Its opening figures were even used in World War II broadcasts as a symbol of victory, and the music has popped up in everything from films to pop adaptations. 

On Thursday, March 19, the Waco Symphony brings this piece to life at Waco Hall. The evening opens with an exciting new work by American composer Shawn Okpebholo, Stellar Fanfare Prelude for Orchestra. We are also thrilled to welcome young American cellist Sterling Elliott, a 2021 Avery Fisher Grant recipient and winner of the Senior Division of the 2019 National Sphinx Competition, performing Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 2. It’s a night where timeless classics meet fearless artistry, and every moment promises to leave you inspired.