Tchaikovsky Symphony №5

Tchaikovsky Symphony №5

The Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op.64 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was composed between May and August 1888 and was first performed in Saint-Petersburg at the Mariinsky Theatre on November 17 of that year with Tchaikovsky conducting.

Unlike its two predecessors, Symphony No.5 has no clear program. On 15 April 1988, about a month before he began composing the symphony^ the composer sketched a scenario for its first moment in his notebook, containing “… a complete resignation before fate, which is the same as the inscrutable predestination of fate…” Like the symphony No. 4, No. 5 is a cyclical symphony, with a recuring main theme.

Possibly for its very clear exposition of the idea of “ultimate victory through strife”, the Fifth was very popular during World War II, with many new recordings of the work, and many performances during those years. One of the most notable performances was by the Leningrad Radio Orchestra during the Siege of Leningrad. Since the war it has remained very popular, but has been somewhat eclipsed in popularity by the Fourth and Sixth Symphonies.

Recorded in 1967, Symphony No. 5 is performed by the USSR State Symphony Orchestra directed by Evgeny Svetlanov and considered to be one of the best public recording available. Previously released as a vinil record only and never in digital form, now it is also available on magnetic tape. This edition was prepared and released using the original master tapes from the archives of Firma Melodiya.

Enjoy your listening!