String Quartet No. 05 in A major Opus 18 by Ludwig van Beethoven

(1 User reviews)   3526
By Abil Kile Posted on Nov 15, 2025
In Category - History
Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827 Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827
English
Hey, have you ever heard a composer learn to smile? That's what Beethoven's Fifth String Quartet feels like. Written right at the turn of the 19th century, this is a young Beethoven, still under the shadow of his teacher Haydn, but itching to break the rules. It's a piece full of sunshine and wit, but listen closely—there's a restless energy underneath, a hint of the dramatic fire that would define his later, earth-shattering works. It's like hearing a genius take his first confident, independent steps. Put it on during a lazy afternoon and just see where it takes you.
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Section XI. The Hexagon with the Central Point, or the Seventh Key. Section XII. The Duty of the True Occultist toward Religions. Section XIII. Post‐Christian Adepts and their Doctrines. Section XIV. Simon and his Biographer Hippolytus. Section XV. St. Paul the real Founder of present Christianity. Section XVI. Peter a Jewish Kabalist, not an Initiate. Section XVII. Apollonius of Tyana. Section XVIII. Facts underlying Adept Biographies. Section XIX. St. Cyprian of Antioch. Section XX. The Eastern Gupta Vidya & the Kabalah. Section XXI. Hebrew Allegories. Section XXII. The “Zohar” on Creation and the Elohim. Section XXIII. What the Occultists and Kabalists have to say. Section XXIV. Modern Kabalists in Science and Occult Astronomy. Section XXV. Eastern and Western Occultism. Section XXVI. The Idols and the Teraphim. Section XXVII. Egyptian Magic. Section XXVIII. The Origin of the Mysteries. Section XXIX. The Trial of the Sun Initiate. Section XXX. The Mystery “Sun of Initiation.” Section XXXI. The Objects of the Mysteries. Section XXXII. Traces of the Mysteries. Section XXXIII. The Last of the Mysteries in Europe. Section XXXIV. The Post‐Christian Successors to the Mysteries. Section XXXV. Symbolism of Sun and Stars. Section XXXVI. Pagan Sidereal Worship, or Astrology. Section XXXVII. The Souls of the Stars—Universal Heliolatry. Section XXXVIII. Astrology and Astrolatry. Section XXXIX. Cycles and Avataras. Section XL. Secret Cycles. Section XLI. The Doctrine of Avataras. Section XLII. The Seven Principles. Section XLIII. The Mystery of Buddha. Section XLIV. “Reincarnations” of Buddha. Section XLV. An Unpublished Discourse of Buddha. Section XLVI. Nirvana‐Moksha. Section XLVII. The Secret Books of “Lam‐Rin” and Dzyan. Section XLVIII. Amita Buddha Kwan‐Shai‐yin, and Kwan‐yin.—What the “Book of Dzyan” and the Lamaseries of Tsong‐Kha‐pa say. Section XLIX. Tsong‐Kha‐pa.—Lohans in China. Section L. A few more Misconceptions Corrected. Section LI. The “Doctrine of the Eye” & the “Doctrine of the Heart,” or the “Heart’s Seal.” Some Papers On The Bearing Of Occult Philosophy On Life. Paper I. A Warning. Paper II. An Explanation. Paper III. A Word Concerning the Earlier Papers. Appendix. Notes on Papers I., II. and III. Notes On Some Oral Teachings. Footnotes [Cover Art] [Transcriber’s Note: The above cover image was produced by the submitter at Distributed Proofreaders, and is being placed into the public domain.] As for what thou hearest others say, who persuade the many that the soul when once freed from the body neither suffers ... evil nor is conscious, I know that thou art better grounded in the doctrines received by us from our ancestors and in the sacred orgies of Dionysus than to believe them; for the mystic symbols are well known to us who belong to the Brotherhood. PLUTARCH. The problem of life is man. Magic, or rather Wisdom, is the evolved knowledge of the potencies of man’s interior being, which forces are divine emanations, as intuition is the perception of their origin, and initiation our induction into that knowledge.... We begin with instinct; the end is omniscience. A. WILDER. PREFACE. The task of preparing this volume for the press has been a difficult and anxious one, and it is necessary to state clearly what has been done. The papers given to me by H. P. B. were quite unarranged, and had no obvious order: I have, therefore, taken each paper as a separate Section, and have arranged them as sequentially as possible. With the exception of the correction of grammatical errors and the elimination of obviously un‐ English idioms, the papers are as H. P. B. left them, save as otherwise marked. In a few cases I have filled in a gap, but any such addition is enclosed within square...

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Let's be clear: this isn't a novel, but it absolutely tells a story. String Quartet No. 5 is part of Beethoven's first published set of quartets, his Opus 18. He's in his late twenties, making a name for himself in Vienna. The 'plot' here is musical: four voices (two violins, a viola, and a cello) in conversation. The first movement is all cheerful confidence and clever exchanges. The second movement, a slower, more serious aria, shows a deeper emotional pull. Then we're back to playful energy with a witty minuet and a whirlwind finale that feels like a joyful sprint to the finish line.

Why You Should Listen To It

This quartet is a joy because it captures a specific moment in time. You can hear Beethoven respecting the elegant, balanced 'Classical' style he inherited, while also nudging it toward something bolder. The melodies are gorgeous and accessible. It's music that feels both sophisticated and welcoming. I love putting this on when I need a lift—it's like a shot of musical espresso that's complex but never bitter.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone curious about classical music but unsure where to start. If you think Beethoven is all 'fate knocking at the door' intensity, this sunny, charming quartet will be a wonderful surprise. It's also a must for fans who want to hear the origins of his revolutionary voice. Think of it as the brilliant first chapter of an incredible story.



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Mark Robinson
1 year ago

A bit long but worth it.

4
4 out of 5 (1 User reviews )

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