Tchaikovsky-Symphony No. 5 by Various, C 01 aug 1974, No (1974/1974), Diriģents Leonard Bernstein, Tanglewood, Lenox, United States

Despite its excessive emotional outbursts, the Fifth Symphony is a paragon of academic perfection, especially in formal terms. The fact that the fate motif, like the "idée fixe" in Berlioz's "Symphonie fantastique" recurs in all four movements, contributes to the formal uniformity. In contrast to the inevitable force of the outer movements, the two inner movements bring ray of hope, reminiscences of the possibilities of happiness. The horn solo of the second movement in particular, with its resigned melancholy, is one of the most beautiful lyrical themes invented by Tchaikovsky. Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony was recorded at the Tanglewood Festival in 1974 to mark Serge Koussevitzky's 100th birthday. The Boston Symphony Orchestra played under Leonard Bernstein. Tchaikovsky's Fifth was one of Koussevitzky's showpieces during his many years conducting the Boston Orchestra. "It was Koussevitzky's signature, like his theme, one of his national anthems, and I felt his presence on the stage very strongly." (Leonard Bernstein)