Beethoven's 5th vs. Shostakovich's 5th

[BoliverAllmon]

not which one do you think is better, but which one was a bigger statement at the time of its composition?

[musik_man]

I'd go with Beethoven, because the whole reason Shostakovich wrote the 5th was to get back in Stalin's favor.  Doesn't seem like a profound statement (from a non-musical standpoint.)

[Waldszenen]

And the only reason why Beethoven wrote his No. 5 as a Symphony instead of a Sonata (his publishers wanted a Symphony) was that he could get enough money to supplement his wine addiction.


So there you have it.

[apion]

Beethoven's 5th was one of the alltime 3 biggest statements in the history of the symphony, so I choose that. 

Although Shosty 5 is probably one of the top 3 modern symphonies ....... 

[pbr2005]

Beethoven 5th vs. Shostakovich's 5th?
Oh come on now...