Classical Music / Orchestral
Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64, was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky between May and August 1888. It was first performed in St Petersburg at the Mariinsky Theatre on November 17 of that year with Tchaikovsky conducting. It is dedicated to Theodor Avé-Lallemant.
The fifth symphony was composed between the Manfred Symphony of 1885 and the sketches for a Symphony in E-flat, which were abandoned in 1892 (apart from recuperating material from its first movement for an Allegro Brillante for piano and orchestra a year later). As for the numbered symphonies, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 was composed between Symphony No. 4, which had been completed ten years earlier, and Symphony No. 6, composed 5 years later, in the year of the composer's death. (I also suggest listening to Tchaikovsky's Symphony no. 6 (Pathétique) - conducted by Herbert von Karajan, with Wiener Philharmonic. YouTube, uploaded by PermafrostIndustries. Accessed January 12, 2019.) Both 5th and 6th symphonies have been my all time favourites of all the maestro's orchestral works.
Symphony No.5 portrays a struggle with fate, the outcome seems far more positive than that depicted in the Fourth and Sixth Symphonies, but such considerations are minor to the glorious music of this gripping and unforgettable symphonic journey in the hands of the masterful Tchaikovsky. The Symphony opens with a slow-tempo introduction (Andante).
Moon Love Song adapted from 5th Symphony's second movement
When I first heard the song 'Moon Love' sung by Frank Sinatra (adapted from Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony (second movement: Andante Cantabile), I immediately loved it, always will. It was recorded in Sinatra's album, Moonlight Sinatra. The song is said to start as a them for French horn in Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony's second movement, actually based on his 'Souvenier d’un lieu cher for violin and piano' from 1878.
Onset, Tchaikovsky felt the 5th Symphony was a failure, although in just a few years it became a huge success. Andre Kostelanetz, a Russian who immigrated to the United States, began to turn Tchaikovsky’s songs into Tin Pan Alley friendly renditions, assisted by two other songwriters, Mack David and Mack Davis. Eventually, Kostelanetz, David and Davis came up with the song title for "Moon Love".
Frank Sinatra first recorded this beautiful song "Moon Love" in 1939 with Harry James, and recorded it again in 1966 for his album 'Moonlight Sinatra'. The famous crooner considered it one of his best recordings, pretty much connected to Tchaikovsky's poignant Fifth Symphony.
“Moon Love” is a beautiful song recorded by Frank Sinatra two times, first in 1939 with Harry James, and in 1966 in the album “Moonlight Sinatra“, arranged by Nelson Riddle (Reprise Records). The song is actually adapted from Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, and lyrics are written by Mack David, Mack Davis and Andre Kostelanetz.
Sadly, no live version of "Moon Love" exists. It would have been lovely if Frank Sinatra sang it at least once in his concerts.
Moon Love (Lyrics) Sung by Frank Sinatra
Here's a wonderful video of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E Minor Op. 64, (click this link for the performance), Barenboim conducting the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, in Geneva. Great performance of this loved masterwork! YouTube, uploaded by EuroArtsChannel. Accessed February 20, 2023. (You can ONLY watch this video of Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony in YouTube (for reason of copyright infringement).
You can also watch this other video of Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony ONLY in YouTube (again, for reason of copyright infringement) ---> Here
Instrumentation. Symphony No. 5 is scored for 3 flutes (3rd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in A, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in A, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, and strings.
Structure. Like the Symphony No. 4, No. 5 is a cyclical symphony, with a recurring main theme. Unlike No. 4, the theme is heard in all four movements, a feature Tchaikovsky had first used in the Manfred Symphony, which was completed less than three years before No. 5.
The symphony is in four movements:
- Andante – Allegro con anima (E minor) – Molto più tranquillo (D major – E major)
- Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza (B minor – D major) – Non allegro (F♯ minor) – Andante maestoso con piano (D major)
- Valse. Allegro moderato (A major) (Trio in F♯ minor)
- Finale: Andante maestoso (E major) – Allegro vivace – Molto vivace (E minor) – Moderato assai e molto maestoso – Presto (E major)
The symphony's recurring main theme is used as a device to unify the four movements of the symphony. This motto theme, sometimes dubbed "Fate theme", has a funereal character in the first movement, but gradually transforms into a triumphant march, which dominates the final movement. A typical performance of the symphony lasts somewhat less than 50 minutes.
Program. Symphony No. 5 has no clear program. On 15 April 1888, about a month before he began composing the symphony, the composer sketched a scenario for its first movement in his notebook, containing "... a complete resignation before fate, which is the same as the inscrutable predestination of fate ..." It is however uncertain how much of this program has been realised in the composition.Video Resource:
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 (Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Valery Gergiev). From the Salle Pleyel in Paris, 2010 All six Tchaikovsky Symphonies with Valery Gergiev conducting the Mariinsky Orchestra. Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra. Valery Gergiev - conductor. YouTube, uploaded by WocomoMusic. Accessed February 19, 2021.
0:00 Intro
1:05 I. Andante: Allegro con anima
17:48 II. Andante cantabile con alguna licenza
33:50 III. Valse. Allegro moderato
39:42 IV. Finale. Andante maestoso. Allegro vivace (Alla breve).
Text Resource:
Symphony No. 5 (Tchaikovsky). en.wikipedia.org.
(c) November 2011. Updated Feb 15, 2025. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
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