Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band was a prominent disco and jazz-fusion group that emerged in the mid-1970s, best known for their chart-topping hit "A Fifth of Beethoven." The band was led by Walter Murphy, a skilled pianist and arranger, who combined elements of classical music with contemporary disco rhythms, creating a unique, genre-blending sound. Their instrumental track, based on Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, became one of the most recognizable and influential pieces of the disco era, highlighting Murphy's innovative approach to composition. The band's success demonstrates the potential for cross-genre experimentation in popular music.