Symphony No. 5
A broad, heroic symphony of confident sweep and rich colour, one of Glazunov's most performed, built on themes that grow and transform across its four movements.
Written between April and October 1895 and dedicated to Sergei Taneyev, the composer and teacher, the Fifth is often called the Heroic for the breadth and Wagnerian scale of its thematic development. Glazunov returns here to the full four-movement design and works it with the technical assurance of his maturity, using thematic transformation to bind the movements and drive the argument forward.
The symphony has remained among his most frequently played, and its appeal is easy to hear. The first movement opens with weight and grandeur, the scherzo is light and quick, the slow movement sings, and the finale drives to a broad, affirming close.
The orchestration is full and generously coloured, calling for triple woodwinds, a large brass section, harp, and percussion including bells, all handled with Glazunov's characteristic balance. Where a lesser composer might have let so large an ensemble grow muddy, he keeps the textures clear and the climaxes well-lit. The Fifth is the sound of Glazunov at full stretch, combining Russian warmth with a cosmopolitan command of the symphonic orchestra.
Movements
Recordings coming soon
The individual movements will be uploaded here.