Symphony No. 5 - Revision history

Brett: Text replacement - "unsympathetic" to "disagreeable"

2024-07-18T08:15:03Z

Text replacement - "unsympathetic" to "disagreeable"

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:15, 18 July 2024
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	==Critical Reception==		==Critical Reception==
	The Fifth Symphony was enthusiastically received by Tchaikovsky's friends in [[Moscow]]. On 5/17 September, the composer wrote to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]]: "The symphony has received unanimous approval from all my friends: some even say that it's my best work. It's particularly significant that [[Sergey Taneyev\|S. I. Taneyev]] is wholly enthusiastic" <ref name="note34"/>. However, his earlier doubts regarding the Fifth Symphony later resurfaced in letters to [[Nadezhda von Meck]]: "My new symphony was played twice in [[Saint Petersburg]] and once in [[Prague]] <ref name="note35"/>. I am convinced that this symphony is not a success. There is something so repellent about such excess, insincerity and artificiality" <ref name="note36"/>. "With each day that passes I am increasingly certain that my last symphony is not a successful work, and the realisation that it is unsuccessful (or perhaps that my powers are declining) is very distressing to me. The symphony is too colourful, massive, insincere, drawn out and on the whole very ~~unsympathetic~~... Am I indeed, as they say, written out?... If so, then this is terrible. Whether my misgivings are mistaken or not, regrettably I have concluded that the symphony written in 1888 is poorer than the one written in 1877" <ref name="note37"/>.		The Fifth Symphony was enthusiastically received by Tchaikovsky's friends in [[Moscow]]. On 5/17 September, the composer wrote to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]]: "The symphony has received unanimous approval from all my friends: some even say that it's my best work. It's particularly significant that [[Sergey Taneyev\|S. I. Taneyev]] is wholly enthusiastic" <ref name="note34"/>. However, his earlier doubts regarding the Fifth Symphony later resurfaced in letters to [[Nadezhda von Meck]]: "My new symphony was played twice in [[Saint Petersburg]] and once in [[Prague]] <ref name="note35"/>. I am convinced that this symphony is not a success. There is something so repellent about such excess, insincerity and artificiality" <ref name="note36"/>. "With each day that passes I am increasingly certain that my last symphony is not a successful work, and the realisation that it is unsuccessful (or perhaps that my powers are declining) is very distressing to me. The symphony is too colourful, massive, insincere, drawn out and on the whole very disagreeable... Am I indeed, as they say, written out?... If so, then this is terrible. Whether my misgivings are mistaken or not, regrettably I have concluded that the symphony written in 1888 is poorer than the one written in 1877" <ref name="note37"/>.

	After a performance of the Symphony in [[Hamburg]] in March 1889, with which Tchaikovsky was very satisfied, the composer wrote: "The musicians took to the music more and more each time the symphony was played. At rehearsals there was general enthusiasm, flourishes, etc. The concert also went excellently. As a result, I no longer have a bad opinion of the symphony, and like it once more" <ref name="note38"/>. "The Fifth Symphony was again performed magnificently, and I have started to love it again; my earlier judgement was undeservedly harsh..." <ref name="note39"/>.		After a performance of the Symphony in [[Hamburg]] in March 1889, with which Tchaikovsky was very satisfied, the composer wrote: "The musicians took to the music more and more each time the symphony was played. At rehearsals there was general enthusiasm, flourishes, etc. The concert also went excellently. As a result, I no longer have a bad opinion of the symphony, and like it once more" <ref name="note38"/>. "The Fifth Symphony was again performed magnificently, and I have started to love it again; my earlier judgement was undeservedly harsh..." <ref name="note39"/>.

Brett: Text replacement - "Famine" to "St. Thomas's"

2024-03-29T16:25:11Z

Text replacement - "Famine" to "St. Thomas's"

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:25, 29 March 2024
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	Tchaikovsky's ideas for a new symphony probably arose during late March/early April 1888. The composer wrote about it for the first time in a letter to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]] from [[Tiflis]], on 28 March/9 April: "in the summer ''I intend to write a symphony''..." <ref name="note2"/>. The day before leaving [[Tiflis]], on 13/25 April, he wrote to [[Nadezhda von Meck]]: "... I want to spend all summer and autumn at [[Frolovskoye]], and do a great deal of work... I am giving thought to a new symphony" <ref name="note3"/>.		Tchaikovsky's ideas for a new symphony probably arose during late March/early April 1888. The composer wrote about it for the first time in a letter to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]] from [[Tiflis]], on 28 March/9 April: "in the summer ''I intend to write a symphony''..." <ref name="note2"/>. The day before leaving [[Tiflis]], on 13/25 April, he wrote to [[Nadezhda von Meck]]: "... I want to spend all summer and autumn at [[Frolovskoye]], and do a great deal of work... I am giving thought to a new symphony" <ref name="note3"/>.

	On 24 April/6 May, now at [[Frolovskoye]], he wrote to her: "After a trip to [[Saint Petersburg]] and some visits to [[Moscow]] in connection with the conservatory examinations, I intend first of all to compose a ''symphony...''" <ref name="note4"/>. In a letter to [[Yuliya Shpazhinskaya]] of 23 April/5 May, Tchaikovsky outlined his schedule: "I will be in [[Saint Petersburg]] for four days... returning after ''~~Famine~~'' week, and then settle down in the village and set about my work, namely I want to write a symphony..." <ref name="note5"/>. On 9/21 May, Tchaikovsky told her: "Today I returned from [[Saint Petersburg]], where I have spent the last ten days... Now I can work for days on end, in peace and freedom" <ref name="note6"/>.		On 24 April/6 May, now at [[Frolovskoye]], he wrote to her: "After a trip to [[Saint Petersburg]] and some visits to [[Moscow]] in connection with the conservatory examinations, I intend first of all to compose a ''symphony...''" <ref name="note4"/>. In a letter to [[Yuliya Shpazhinskaya]] of 23 April/5 May, Tchaikovsky outlined his schedule: "I will be in [[Saint Petersburg]] for four days... returning after ''St. Thomas's'' week, and then settle down in the village and set about my work, namely I want to write a symphony..." <ref name="note5"/>. On 9/21 May, Tchaikovsky told her: "Today I returned from [[Saint Petersburg]], where I have spent the last ten days... Now I can work for days on end, in peace and freedom" <ref name="note6"/>.

	In mid/late May, he wrote: "I've still not yet made a start, because I've been working on various proofs. But I can honestly say that the urge ''to create'' has deserted me. What does this mean? Am I really written out? I've no ideas or inspiration whatsoever! But I hope little by little to gather materials for the symphony" <ref name="note7"/>. Around this time, evidently, he did begin work on the Symphony: "Now I am gradually, and with some difficulty, squeezing a ''symphony'' out of my dulled brain" <ref name="note8"/>.		In mid/late May, he wrote: "I've still not yet made a start, because I've been working on various proofs. But I can honestly say that the urge ''to create'' has deserted me. What does this mean? Am I really written out? I've no ideas or inspiration whatsoever! But I hope little by little to gather materials for the symphony" <ref name="note7"/>. Around this time, evidently, he did begin work on the Symphony: "Now I am gradually, and with some difficulty, squeezing a ''symphony'' out of my dulled brain" <ref name="note8"/>.

Brett at 21:46, 29 May 2023

2023-05-29T21:46:00Z

Show changes

Tony: /* Critical Reception */

2023-02-09T17:38:38Z

Critical Reception

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:38, 9 February 2023
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	==Critical Reception==		==Critical Reception==
	The Fifth Symphony was enthusiastically received by Tchaikovsky's friends in [[Moscow]]. On 5/17 September, the composer wrote to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]]: "The symphony has received unanimous approval from all my friends: some even say that it's my best work. It's particularly significant that [[Sergey Taneyev\|S. I. Taneyev]] is wholly enthusiastic" <ref name="note34"/>. However, his earlier doubts regarding the Fifth Symphony later resurfaced in letters to [[Nadezhda von Meck]]: "My new symphony was played twice in [[ Saint Petersburg]] and once in [[Prague]] <ref name="note35"/>. I am convinced that this symphony is not a success. There is something so repellent about such excess, insincerity and artificiality" <ref name="note36"/>. "With each day that passes I am increasingly certain that my last symphony is not a successful work, and the realisation that it is unsuccessful (or perhaps that my powers are declining) is very distressing to me. The symphony is too colourful, massive, insincere, drawn out and on the whole very unsympathetic... Am I indeed, as they say, written out?... If so, then this is terrible. Whether my misgivings are mistaken or not, regrettably I have concluded that the symphony written in 1888 is poorer than the one written in 1877" <ref name="note37"/>.		The Fifth Symphony was enthusiastically received by Tchaikovsky's friends in [[Moscow]]. On 5/17 September, the composer wrote to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]]: "The symphony has received unanimous approval from all my friends: some even say that it's my best work. It's particularly significant that [[Sergey Taneyev\|S. I. Taneyev]] is wholly enthusiastic" <ref name="note34"/>. However, his earlier doubts regarding the Fifth Symphony later resurfaced in letters to [[Nadezhda von Meck]]: "My new symphony was played twice in [[Saint Petersburg]] and once in [[Prague]] <ref name="note35"/>. I am convinced that this symphony is not a success. There is something so repellent about such excess, insincerity and artificiality" <ref name="note36"/>. "With each day that passes I am increasingly certain that my last symphony is not a successful work, and the realisation that it is unsuccessful (or perhaps that my powers are declining) is very distressing to me. The symphony is too colourful, massive, insincere, drawn out and on the whole very unsympathetic... Am I indeed, as they say, written out?... If so, then this is terrible. Whether my misgivings are mistaken or not, regrettably I have concluded that the symphony written in 1888 is poorer than the one written in 1877" <ref name="note37"/>.

	After a performance of the Symphony in [[Hamburg]] in March 1889, with which Tchaikovsky was very satisfied, the composer wrote: "The musicians took to the music more and more each time the symphony was played. At rehearsals there was general enthusiasm, flourishes, etc. The concert also went excellently. As a result, I no longer have a bad opinion of the symphony, and like it once more" <ref name="note38"/>. "The Fifth Symphony was again performed magnificently, and I have started to love it again; my earlier judgement was undeservedly harsh..." <ref name="note39"/>.		After a performance of the Symphony in [[Hamburg]] in March 1889, with which Tchaikovsky was very satisfied, the composer wrote: "The musicians took to the music more and more each time the symphony was played. At rehearsals there was general enthusiasm, flourishes, etc. The concert also went excellently. As a result, I no longer have a bad opinion of the symphony, and like it once more" <ref name="note38"/>. "The Fifth Symphony was again performed magnificently, and I have started to love it again; my earlier judgement was undeservedly harsh..." <ref name="note39"/>.

Tony: /* Subject */ Text replacement - "of" to "on" for clarity of meaning

2023-02-09T17:14:15Z

Subject: Text replacement - "of" to "on" for clarity of meaning

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:14, 9 February 2023
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	<div align="center">[[File:TH029a.jpg\|600px]]</div>		<div align="center">[[File:TH029a.jpg\|600px]]</div>

	There are also musical ideas for the other movements, with programmatic annotations (eg. "consolation", "a ray of light", "no, there is no hope", etc). However, most of the musical sketches were subsequently rejected, and it is not possible to say how much of the programmatic concept found its way into the completed Fifth Symphony. Writing to the [[Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich]] of 11/23 June 1888 Tchaikovsky specifically stated that "At the present time, I am fairly busy and working diligently on composition of a symphony, without a programme" <ref name="note30"/>.		There are also musical ideas for the other movements, with programmatic annotations (e.g. "consolation", "a ray of light", "no, there is no hope", etc). However, most of the musical sketches were subsequently rejected, and it is not possible to say how much of the programmatic concept found its way into the completed Fifth Symphony. Writing to the [[Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich]] on 11/23 June 1888, Tchaikovsky specifically stated that "At the present time, I am fairly busy and working diligently on composition of a symphony, without a programme" <ref name="note30"/>.

	It is possible that some of the programmatic content originally envisaged for the Fifth Symphony was transferred to the [[Symphony in E-flat major]] which Tchaikovsky began and subsequently abandoned in 1892.		It is possible that some of the programmatic content originally envisaged for the Fifth Symphony was transferred to the [[Symphony in E-flat major]] which Tchaikovsky began and subsequently abandoned in 1892.

Tony at 17:07, 9 February 2023

2023-02-09T17:07:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:07, 9 February 2023
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	After the third movement (waltz) in the fair copy of the manuscript score is the note: "''9 Aug ‘88. [[Frolovskoye]]''" {{OS}}.		After the third movement (waltz) in the fair copy of the manuscript score is the note: "''9 Aug ‘88. [[Frolovskoye]]''" {{OS}}.

	By 14/26 August all work on scoring the Symphony had been completed: "I am so pleased that my symphony is safely finished" <ref name="note25"/>. "My symphony is ready, and I think that I have not miscalculated, that it has turned out well" <ref name="note26"/>.		By 14/26 August, all work on scoring the Symphony had been completed: "I am so pleased that my symphony is safely finished" <ref name="note25"/>. "My symphony is ready, and I think that I have not miscalculated, that it has turned out well" <ref name="note26"/>.

	While composing the Fifth Symphony, Tchaikovsky constantly doubted his powers of composition <ref name="note27"/>. However, after completing the symphony he wrote to [[Nadezhda von Meck]] on 24 September/6 October 1888: "Thank God that I still have the will to work. But my urge to produce is so great that even two lifetimes would barely be sufficient to carry out my all my plans" <ref name="note28"/>.		While composing the Fifth Symphony, Tchaikovsky constantly doubted his powers of composition <ref name="note27"/>. However, after completing the symphony he wrote to [[Nadezhda von Meck]] on 24 September/6 October 1888: "Thank God that I still have the will to work. But my urge to produce is so great that even two lifetimes would barely be sufficient to carry out my all my plans" <ref name="note28"/>.

Brett at 15:55, 13 August 2022

2022-08-13T15:55:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:55, 13 August 2022
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	* [[London]], 17/29 June 1894, conducted by [[Arthur Nikisch]]		* [[London]], 17/29 June 1894, conducted by [[Arthur Nikisch]]
	* [[Vienna]], 7th Philharmonic Society subscription concert, 18 February/1 March 1896, conducted by Hans Richter		* [[Vienna]], 7th Philharmonic Society subscription concert, 18 February/1 March 1896, conducted by Hans Richter
			* Amsterdam, Concertgebouw, subscription concert, 30 November/12 December 1897, conducted by Willem Mengelberg


	==Critical Reception==		==Critical Reception==

Brett: 1 revision imported

2022-07-12T11:13:56Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 12:13, 12 July 2022
(No difference)

Brett at 21:16, 10 May 2021

2021-05-10T21:16:06Z

New page

Tchaikovsky's '''''Symphony No. 5''''' in E minor, [[Op.]] 64 ([[TH]] 29 ; [[ČW]] 26), was composed and orchestrated between May and August 1888.

==Instrumentation==
The Symphony is scored for an orchestra consisting of 3 flutes (3rd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (in A), 2 bassoons + 4 horns (in F), 2 trumpets (in A), 3 trombones, tuba + 3 timpani + violins I, violins II, violas, cellos, and double basses.

==Movements and Duration==
There are four movements:
<ol style="list-style-type: upper-roman;">
<li>Andante—Allegro con anima (E minor, 542 bars)</li>
<li>Andante cantabile con alcuna licenza (D major, 180 bars)</li>
<li>''Valse''. Allegro moderato (A major, 266 bars)</li>
<li>''Finale''. Andante maestoso–Allegro vivace (E major, 565 bars)</li>
</ol>
A complete performance of the Symphony lasts approximately 45 to 50 minutes <ref name="note1"/>.

==Composition==
Tchaikovsky's ideas for a new symphony probably arose during late March/early April 1888. The composer wrote about it for the first time in a letter to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]] from [[Tiflis]], on 28 March/9 April: "in the summer ''I intend to write a symphony''..." <ref name="note2"/>. The day before leaving [[Tiflis]], on 13/25 April, he wrote to [[Nadezhda von Meck]]: "... I want to spend all summer and autumn at [[Frolovskoye]], and do a great deal of work... I am giving thought to a new symphony" <ref name="note3"/>.

On 24 April/6 May, now at [[Frolovskoye]], he wrote to her: "After a trip to [[Saint Petersburg]] and some visits to [[Moscow]] in connection with the conservatory examinations, I intend first of all to compose a ''symphony...''" <ref name="note4"/>. In a letter to [[Yuliya Shpazhinskaya]] of 23 April/5 May, Tchaikovsky outlined his schedule: "I will be in [[Saint Petersburg]] for four days... returning after ''Famine'' week, and then settle down in the village and set about my work, namely I want to write a symphony..." <ref name="note5"/>. On 9/21 May, Tchaikovsky told her: "Today I returned from [[Saint Petersburg]], where I have spent the last ten days... Now I can work for days on end, in peace and freedom" <ref name="note6"/>.

In mid/late May, he wrote: "I've still not yet made a start, because I've been working on various proofs. But I can honestly say that the urge ''to create'' has deserted me. What does this mean? Am I really written out? I've no ideas or inspiration whatsoever! But I hope little by little to gather materials for the symphony" <ref name="note7"/>. Around this time, evidently, he did begin work on the Symphony: "Now I am gradually, and with some difficulty, squeezing a ''symphony'' out of my dulled brain" <ref name="note8"/>.

While travelling from [[Tiflis]] to [[Moscow]], the composer had already recorded a number of themes for the new symphony in one of his notebooks, one of which is dated 15/27 April 1888 <ref name="note9"/>. During the course of the summer, Tchaikovsky frequently had to leave [[Frolovskoye]], besides which he took ill during June, although he continued to work on the Symphony during his illness.

The most intensive work on the Fifth Symphony was carried out between 7/19 and 17/29 June, although Tchaikovsky continued to doubt his abilities: "I am working quite assiduously on a symphony, which, if I am not mistaken, will be no worse than its predecessors. But perhaps this is just my opinion now... I may later feel that I am written out, that my head is empty, that my time is past, etc." <ref name="note10"/>.

On 10/22 June, Tchaikovsky wrote to [[Nadezhda von Meck]]: "I must work harder in the future; I want so much to show not only to others, but to myself, that I still haven't ''expired...'' I don't know whether I wrote to you that I had decided to write a symphony. At first it was fairly difficult; now inspiration seems to have deserted me completely" <ref name="note11"/>.

The rough draft was completed on 17/29 June <ref name="note12"/>. This draft of the Symphony was later sent by Tchaikovsky to [[Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov]], probably in September 1888 <ref name="note13"/>. Its whereabouts at the present time are unknown.

The surviving sketches show the gradual evolution of ideas for the Fifth Symphony. The first musical notes are significantly different from the last, and apparently comprise musical materials intended for an original version of the Symphony, which the author later rejected. The evidence suggests that the sketches for this first version were made by Tchaikovsky while he was at [[Frolovskoye]] between 9/21 May and 23 May/4 June 1888. Probably, it was this phase of composition that Tchaikovsky referred to when he described his work on the Symphony as "initially fairly difficult" <ref name="note14"/>.

On 22 June/4 July, Tchaikovsky wrote to [[Nadezhda von Meck]]: "I have been working well the whole time; I have already prepared in rough a symphony and an overture to the tragedy ''[[Hamlet (overture-fantasia)|Hamlet]]'', which I have had in mind to write for a long time. In the coming weeks I shall set about the instrumentation of both works... although for almost a whole month I have been able to rise to the challenge, despite my poor state of health, yet my indisposition has not really impeded my work. At the moment it is difficult to say how this symphony will turn out when compared with my previous ones, and particularly in comparison to ''ours''. What was previously easy and straightforward has not remained so" <ref name="note15"/>.

"After the 29th {{OS}} I shall take up the instrumentation", the composer wrote to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]] on 26 June/8 July <ref name="note16"/>. But on 1/13 July, in a letter to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]], he stated: "I am working well. I have finished the symphony and the overture to ''[[Hamlet (overture-fantasia)|Hamlet]]'', and set about their instrumentation. Having prepared two large-scale works I am in high spirits, because, you know, I had begun to think that I was played out, since it was initially very difficult" <ref name="note17"/>.

"My work is now progressing terribly slowly. Time flies, old age draws near, and each moment is precious to me; but in the meantime, despite my efforts, I cannot concentrate on work. However I hope that by the end of the summer to have finished both my symphonic works", he wrote to [[Yuliya Shpazhinskaya]] on 6/18 July 1888 from [[Moscow]] <ref name="note18"/>.

After visits to [[Moscow]] and [[Saint Petersburg]], Tchaikovsky returned to [[Frolovskoye]] on 12/24 July <ref name="note19"/>, and once again resumed work: "From tomorrow I shall work very assiduously on the instrumentation" <ref name="note20"/>.

On 25 July/6 August he wrote to [[Nadezhda von Meck]]: "I am now working very successfully, and the greater portion of the symphony is already scored"<ref name="note21"/>. But on 1/13 August, the composer told [[Vladimir Shilovsky]], "I'm working terribly, because of the need to finish the full score of the symphony as quickly as possible" <ref name="note22"/>.

Evidently, as soon as the instrumentation of the first movement and finale was complete, Tchaikovsky sent the full scores to [[Sergey Taneyev]], who was to make an arrangement for piano duet (4 hands). [[Taneyev]] responded on 6/18 August: "I have received the first movement of the symphony and your letter, in which you wrote that you were sending the Finale" <ref name="note23"/>.

On 7/19 August, Tchaikovsky wrote to [[Nadezhda von Meck]]: "Now, as the symphony nears its end, I can view it objectively, and at the culmination of the work I must say that, thank God, it is no worse than my previous ones. This accomplishment means a great deal to me!" <ref name="note24"/>.

After the third movement (waltz) in the fair copy of the manuscript score is the note: "''9 Aug ‘88. [[Frolovskoye]]''" {{OS}}.

By 14/26 August all work on scoring the Symphony had been completed: "I am so pleased that my symphony is safely finished" <ref name="note25"/>. "My symphony is ready, and I think that I have not miscalculated, that it has turned out well" <ref name="note26"/>.

While composing the Fifth Symphony, Tchaikovsky constantly doubted his powers of composition <ref name="note27"/>. However, after completing the symphony he wrote to [[Nadezhda von Meck]] on 24 September/6 October 1888: "Thank God that I still have the will to work. But my urge to produce is so great that even two lifetimes would barely be sufficient to carry out my all my plans" <ref name="note28"/>.

==Subject==
It appears that originally Tchaikovsky envisaged a programme for the Symphony. A scribbled note by the first sketches reads as follows:

{{quote|''Programme'': 1st movement of symph[ony].<br/>Intr[oduction]. Total submission before fate, or, what is the same thing, the inscrutable designs of Providence.<br/>Allegro. 1) Murmurs, doubts, laments, reproaches against... XXX<br/>II) Shall I cast myself into the embrace of ''faith''???<br/>A wonderful programme, if only it can be fulfilled.}}

Another note with a programmatic character appears in sketches for the second movement <ref name="note29"/>:

<div align="center">[[File:TH029a.jpg|600px]]</div>

There are also musical ideas for the other movements, with programmatic annotations (eg. "consolation", "a ray of light", "no, there is no hope", etc). However, most of the musical sketches were subsequently rejected, and it is not possible to say how much of the programmatic concept found its way into the completed Fifth Symphony. Writing to the [[Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich]] of 11/23 June 1888 Tchaikovsky specifically stated that "At the present time, I am fairly busy and working diligently on composition of a symphony, without a programme" <ref name="note30"/>.

It is possible that some of the programmatic content originally envisaged for the Fifth Symphony was transferred to the [[Symphony in E-flat major]] which Tchaikovsky began and subsequently abandoned in 1892.

==Performances==
On 25 October/6 November 1888, at a concert in the Russian Nobles' Society, [[Sergey Taneyev]] and [[Aleksandr Ziloti]] performed the second and third movements of the Fifth Symphony in [[Taneyev]]'s arrangement for two pianos <ref name="note31"/>.

The first orchestral performance of the Symphony No. 5 took place in [[Saint Petersburg]] on 5/17 November 1888 at a concert of the [[Saint Petersburg]] Philharmonic Society, conducted by the composer (and repeated in the same city on 12/24 November at the third symphony concert of the Russian Musical Society); the [[Moscow]] premiere took place on 10/22 December 1888 at the fifth symphony concert of the Russian Musical Society, also conducted by him.

On 3/15 March 1889, the Fifth Symphony was performed in [[Hamburg]], conducted by Tchaikovsky <ref name="note32"/>. For this performance, Tchaikovsky shortened the last movement: "Made cut in fin[ale] of the symph[ony]", he noted in his diary for 24 February/6 March 1889, and on 27 February/9 March he remarked: "Corrected the parts of the symphony" <ref name="note33"/>.

Other notable early performances included:
* [[Prague]], 18/30 November 1888, conducted by Tchaikovsky
* [[New York]], Chickering Hall, 21 February/5 March 1889, conducted by [[Theodore Thomas]]
* [[Hamburg]], 10th Philharmonic Society concert, 3/15 March 1889, conducted by Tchaikovsky
* Manchester, 21 January/2 February 1893, conducted by Charles Hallé
* [[London]], 17/29 June 1894, conducted by [[Arthur Nikisch]]
* [[Vienna]], 7th Philharmonic Society subscription concert, 18 February/1 March 1896, conducted by Hans Richter

==Critical Reception==
The Fifth Symphony was enthusiastically received by Tchaikovsky's friends in [[Moscow]]. On 5/17 September, the composer wrote to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]]: "The symphony has received unanimous approval from all my friends: some even say that it's my best work. It's particularly significant that [[Sergey Taneyev|S. I. Taneyev]] is wholly enthusiastic" <ref name="note34"/>. However, his earlier doubts regarding the Fifth Symphony later resurfaced in letters to [[Nadezhda von Meck]]: "My new symphony was played twice in [[ Saint Petersburg]] and once in [[Prague]] <ref name="note35"/>. I am convinced that this symphony is not a success. There is something so repellent about such excess, insincerity and artificiality" <ref name="note36"/>. "With each day that passes I am increasingly certain that my last symphony is not a successful work, and the realisation that it is unsuccessful (or perhaps that my powers are declining) is very distressing to me. The symphony is too colourful, massive, insincere, drawn out and on the whole very unsympathetic... Am I indeed, as they say, written out?... If so, then this is terrible. Whether my misgivings are mistaken or not, regrettably I have concluded that the symphony written in 1888 is poorer than the one written in 1877" <ref name="note37"/>.

After a performance of the Symphony in [[Hamburg]] in March 1889, with which Tchaikovsky was very satisfied, the composer wrote: "The musicians took to the music more and more each time the symphony was played. At rehearsals there was general enthusiasm, flourishes, etc. The concert also went excellently. As a result, I no longer have a bad opinion of the symphony, and like it once more" <ref name="note38"/>. "The Fifth Symphony was again performed magnificently, and I have started to love it again; my earlier judgement was undeservedly harsh..." <ref name="note39"/>.

==Publication==
The first edition of the score was published by [[Pyotr Jurgenson]] in 1888. As previously noted, an arrangement of the Fifth Symphony for piano duet was made by [[Sergey Taneyev]] <ref name="note40"/>, and was published by [[Jurgenson]] at the same time as the full score.

The full score of the Symphony No. 5 was published in volume 17А of Tchaikovsky's ''[[Complete Collected Works]]'', edited by Georgy Kirkor (1963).

==Autographs==
Tchaikovsky's manuscript score is now preserved in the {{RUS-Mcm}} in [[Moscow]] {{TOW2|simfoniya-no-5|(ф. 88, No. 59)}}.

==Recordings==
{{reclink}}

==Dedication==
The Symphony is dedicated to [[Theodor Avé-Lallemant]], director of the [[Hamburg]] Philharmonic Society, whom Tchaikovsky met in [[Hamburg]] in January 1888.

On 24 April/6 May 1888, Tchaikovsky told the Norwegian composer [[Edvard Grieg]] that he was planning "to write a new symphony and to dedicate it to my good friend Grieg" <ref name="note41"/>. However, the published score carries only the inscription to [[Avé-Lallemant]], and Tchaikovsky dedicated the overture-fantasia ''[[Hamlet (overture-fantasia)|Hamlet]]'' to [[Grieg]] instead.

==External Links==
* {{imslpscore|Symphony_No.5,_Op.64_(Tchaikovsky,_Pyotr)|Symphony No. 5}}

==Notes and References==
<references>
<ref name="note1">Tchaikovsky's metronome markings are seldom observed, especially in the first movement, which is almost always taken at a much slower tempo than he directs.</ref>
<ref name="note2">[[Letter 3539]] to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]], 28 March/9 April 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note3">[[Letter 3547]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 13/25 April 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note4">[[Letter 3553]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 24 April/6 May 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note5">[[Letter 3551]] to [[Yuliya Shpazhinskaya]], 23 April/5 May 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note6">[[Letter 3563]] to [[Yuliya Shpazhinskaya]], 9/21 May 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note7">[[Letter 3568]] to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]], 15/27 May 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note8">[[Letter 3573]] to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]], 19/31 May 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note9">See Notebook No. 4 in [[Klin]] House-Museum Archive. In [[ČW]] these sketches are attributed to a different, unrealised symphony dating from 1887 or 1888 ( [[ČW]] 468).</ref>
<ref name="note10">See [[Letter 3587]] to [[Vladimir Nápravník]], 7/19 June 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note11">[[Letter 3588]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 10/22 June 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note12">See [[Letter 3597]] to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]] and [[Letter 3595]] to [[Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov]], both 17/29 June 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note13">See letters from [[Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov]] to Tchaikovsky, 30 June and 17 October 1888, and Tchaikovsky's replies of 12/24 July ([[Letter 3612]]), 4/16 August ([[Letter 3635]]) and 27 October/8 November 1888 ([[Letter 3710]]).</ref>
<ref name="note14">See [[Letter 3607]] to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]], 1/13 July 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note15">[[Letter 3600]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 22 June/4 July 1888. "''Ours''" {{=}} [[Symphony No. 4]].</ref>
<ref name="note16">[[Letter 3602]] to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]], 26 June/8 July 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note17">[[Letter 3607]] to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]], 1/13 July 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note18">[[Letter 3609]] to [[Yuliya Shpazhinskaya]], 6/18 July 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note19">See [[Letter 3615]] to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]] and [[Letter 3612]] to [[ Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov]], both 12/24 July 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note20">[[Letter 3511]] to [[Nikolay Hubert|Nikolay]] and [[Aleksandra Hubert]], 12/24 July 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note21">[[Letter 3624]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 25 July/6 August 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note22">[[Letter 3631]] to [[Vladimir Shilovsky]], 1/13 August 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note23">Letter from [[Sergey Taneyev]] to Tchaikovsky, 2/14 July 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note24">[[Letter 3637]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 7/19 August 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note25">[[Letter 3644]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 14/26 August 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note26">[[Letter 3645]] to [[Yuliya Shpazhinskaya]], 14/26 August 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note27">See [[Letter 3588]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 10/22 June 1888, and [[Letter 3587]] to [[Vladimir Nápravník]], 7/19 June 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note28">[[Letter 3678]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 24 September/6 October 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note29">The phrase: "Beneath the reply: No, there is no hope!" could relate to another theme in the bass clef.</ref>
<ref name="note30">[[Letter 3589]] to [[Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich]], 11/23 June 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note31">See {{und|Московские ведемости}}, 25 October 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note32">See [[Letter 3815]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], and [[Letter 3814]] to [[Vladimir Davydov]], both 5/17 March 1889.</ref>
<ref name="note33">See {{bib|1923/23|Дневники П. И. Чайковского}} (1923), p. 227.</ref>
<ref name="note34">[[Letter 3657]] to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]], 5/17 September 1888. See also [[Letter 3670]] to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]], 14/26 September 1888, and letters [[Letter 3661|3661]] and [[Letter 3672|3672]] to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]], 7/19 September 1888 and 19 September/1 October 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note35">i.e. on 5/17 and 12/24 November 1888 in [[Saint Petersburg]], and 18/30 November 1888 in [[Prague]].</ref>
<ref name="note36">[[Letter 3738]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 2/14 December 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note37">[[Letter 3748]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 26 December 1888/7 January 1889.</ref>
<ref name="note38">[[Letter 3818]] to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]], 5/17 March 1889.</ref>
<ref name="note39">[[Letter 3814]] to [[Vladimir Davydov]], 5/17 March 1889.</ref>
<ref name="note40">See letters from [[Sergey Taneyev]] to Tchaikovsky, 2/14 July and 6/18 August 1888.</ref>
<ref name="note41">[[Letter 3552]] to [[Edvard Grieg]], 24 April/6 May 1888.</ref>
</references>
[[Category:Symphonies]]