The work was first performed in Vienna in 1808 under the direction of Beethoven himself and it achieved its prodigious reputation soon afterwards. The Fifth Symphony remains one of the most popular symphonies of all time.

Performing is the Orchestre National de France, conducted by the legendary Kurt Masur. This concert was part of a series where the complete nine symphonies of Beethoven were presented as part of the 2008 Beethoven Festival in Bonn.