Beethoven's Fifth

When: Fri., Oct. 27, 8 p.m., Sat., Oct. 28, 8 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 29, 3 p.m. 2017

If you know nothing about classical music, there's a good chance you're familiar with Beethoven's >Symphony No. 5, which begins with the most famous four notes in music history. That "da-da-da—duh" is only the beginning of a spiritual journey that begins in a sorrowful minor key and ends in a joyous major key, all built upon the bedrock of that quartet of opening notes. The mighty, majestic Fifth is the main course of this weekend's St. Louis Symphony performances. Richard Strauss' Horn Concerto No. 2 and Alban Berg's Seven Early Songs (largely influenced by Strauss) are also on the program. David Robertson and the symphony embark on the great journey at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday (October 27 to 29) at Powell Hall (718 North Grand Boulevard; www.slso.org). Tickets are $25 to $91.

— Paul Friswold