Da da da DAAAAA!

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Archive on 4

Documentaries

Factual

Brilliant stories told using archive from the BBC and beyond.

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4 LW

Archive on 4: Da da da DAAAAA!

BBC Radio 4 - Archive on 4, Da da da DAAAAA!

Rachel Parris leads us on an irreverent tour of Beethoven's 5th Symphony

4 Extra Debut. Rachel Parris explores the highs and lows of Beethoven's life, including his familiar 5th Symphony: da da da daaa! From 2020.

Rachel Parris leads us on an irreverent tour of Ludwig van Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

She starts with four notes almost anybody in the world will recognise: da da da daaa!

Rachel’s journey takes her through the highs and lows of the composer’s life, as well as on detours via cover versions, rip-offs and spoofs.

But what’s the secret of the composer's 5th Symphony, and why has it triumphed where so much other music has fallen flat? 

Does the answer lie in those first four notes?

The programme was originally made to mark the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth in 1770.  

Producer: Glyn Tansley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2020.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Archive on 4

Da da da DAAAAA!

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4