Symphony No. 5 (Tchaikovsky) facts for kids

Tchaikovsky in 1887

The Symphony No. 5 in E minor, also known as Opus 64, is a famous piece of music by the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. He wrote this symphony between May and August in 1888. It was first played for an audience in Saint Petersburg at the Mariinsky Theatre on November 17, 1888. Tchaikovsky himself led the orchestra for this first performance. He dedicated this beautiful work to Theodor Avé-Lallemant.

Tchaikovsky's Symphonies

Tchaikovsky was a very busy composer. After finishing his music studies in 1865, he wrote three symphonies. A symphony is a long musical piece usually for a full orchestra. Later, he started five more symphony projects. Four of these became complete symphonies that were played during his lifetime.

His Fifth Symphony was created in 1888. This was after his Manfred Symphony from 1885. It was also before he started sketching a Symphony in E-flat in 1892, which he later decided not to finish. The Fifth Symphony came ten years after his Fourth Symphony and five years before his Sixth Symphony. The Sixth Symphony was written in the same year Tchaikovsky passed away.

The Idea Behind the Music

Unlike some of his other works, Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony doesn't tell a specific story. However, he did write down some thoughts in his notebook before starting it. He mentioned ideas about "complete resignation before fate." This suggests the symphony might explore themes of destiny or how we face what life brings. It's not fully clear how much of this idea made it into the final music.

A Repeating Musical Idea

The Fifth Symphony uses a special technique called a cyclical structure. This means a main musical idea, or theme, appears in different parts of the symphony. In this symphony, a special theme is heard in all four movements. Tchaikovsky first used this idea in his Manfred Symphony a few years earlier.

Instruments in the Orchestra

To play this symphony, a large orchestra is needed. It includes:

• 3 flutes (one can also play the piccolo)
• 2 oboes
• 2 clarinets
• 2 bassoons
• 4 French horns
• 2 trumpets
• 3 trombones
• 1 tuba
• timpani (kettledrums)
• A full string section (violins, violas, cellos, and double basses)

How the Symphony is Organized

This symphony has four main parts, called movements. Each movement has its own mood and speed:

The symphony begins in a serious, minor key (E minor) and ends in a bright, major key (E major). This journey from darkness to light is a key part of the music's story. The special repeating theme, sometimes called the "Fate theme," starts out sounding serious and a bit sad in the first movement. But as the symphony goes on, it slowly changes. By the end, it becomes a powerful and joyful march, showing a feeling of victory.

Playing the entire symphony usually takes a little less than 50 minutes.

First Movement: From Thoughtful to Lively

The first movement introduces the main "Fate theme" with a serious and thoughtful mood. It then moves into a more energetic and spirited section. This movement sets the stage for the journey the symphony will take.

Second Movement: A Beautiful Melody

This movement is known for its lovely, flowing melodies. A solo horn introduces a particularly beautiful and memorable tune. It's a calm and expressive part of the symphony, offering a moment of reflection.

Third Movement: A Graceful Dance

The third movement is a charming waltz. It has a graceful, dance-like feel, but also includes some playful and energetic sections. Even here, the "Fate theme" makes a brief appearance, reminding us of the symphony's main idea.

Fourth Movement: The Triumphant Finale

The final movement begins with a grand and majestic introduction. The "Fate theme" returns, but this time it's transformed into a powerful and victorious march. The music becomes very lively and exciting, building to a grand and joyful ending in E major, celebrating triumph.

How People Reacted to the Symphony

When the symphony was first performed, not everyone loved it. Tchaikovsky himself even felt it was a "failure" after its second performance. However, over time, it became one of his most beloved works. Many people especially enjoy the beautiful solo horn melody in the second movement.

The symphony became very popular during World War II. Its message of "ultimate victory through struggle" resonated with many. A famous performance happened on October 20, 1941, during the Siege of Leningrad. The Leningrad Radio Orchestra played it to boost spirits in the city. Even when bombs fell nearby, the orchestra bravely continued playing until the very end.

While some early critics in places like Boston and New York didn't understand it at first, calling it "noise" or "furious," the symphony's power and emotion eventually won over audiences worldwide. Today, it remains a very popular piece, though his Fourth and Sixth Symphonies are also highly celebrated.

The Symphony in Pop Culture

Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony has inspired other artists and appeared in different forms:

• The song "Farewell, Amanda" by Cole Porter, from the 1949 film Adam's Rib, uses parts of the symphony's fourth movement.
• Some believe that Dmitri Shostakovich included a small part of Tchaikovsky's "fate" theme in his own Seventh Symphony.
• Melodies from the second movement have been turned into popular songs, like "Moon Love" and "Love Is All That Matters".
• The start of John Denver's famous song Annie's Song sounds very similar to the horn theme in the second movement. John Denver said this was a coincidence and he didn't realize it until his producer told him.
• An adapted version of the second movement was used in a well-known advertisement in Australia during the 1970s.