Beethoven - Symphony no. 3 mvmt. 1

According to our music history textbook, one of the notable, revolutionary aspects of this piece is the almost programmatic way in which Beethoven uses the main theme - like a hero, the main theme faces challenges (other themes, etc.) but always defeats them. It seems as though the main theme struggles through developmental sections, but always triumphantly returns like a victorious hero.

However, to me, it sounds like most other music that has thematic material. Forms such as sonata and especially rondo had been used by composers for a long time before Beethoven, and when I listen to pieces it seems as though the same plot is involved, though the main theme may be based on a different emotion or concept.

Regardless, I felt very interested while listening to this piece. My imagination invented scenes to go along with the music, which probably happened because I knew the historical context of the piece and the images Beethoven was trying to portray.