Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 with Robert Greenberg

Music historian, composer, pianist, lecturer and Great Courses instructor, Robert Greenberg takes you on a journey of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony.
Tito Muñoz, conductor
Steven Moeckel, violin
Kenneth Fuchs: Quiet in the Land (world premiere)
Korngold: Violin Concerto*
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5*
Tchaikovsky poured his soul into each of his symphonies, expressing passion and pathos as no other composer has. Tito Muñoz leads Tchaikovsky’s searing Fifth Symphony. Plus, Concertmaster Steven Moeckel solos in Korngold’s breathtakingly lyrical Violin Concerto. The program opens with a world premiere from American composer Kenneth Fuchs.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

I consider Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5 to be the world's 2nd greatest piece of music, 2nd only to Beethoven's 9th Symphony. It has to be performed right, however. I've heard too many conductors mangle the tempi for no logical reason. The absolute perfect version of this symphony is the New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein. The absolute perfect version of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 4 is the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas.

[@davidevans3227]

..have you heard the maris yanson and oslo philharmonic versions?

[@chrisgray3641]

Beautiful video. Thanks for the insight!

[@kalmanbrand6480]

Robert Greenberg--a wonderful teacher--you have enriched my musical life so!!!

[@ArturoSernaMusic]

great research. very informative and illuminating. thanks for this!

[@psychedupbruce]

Robert is so extra and I LOVE IT!

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

The Tchaikovsky 6th symphony never felt like a connected symphony to me. It sounds like 4 disconnected movements. Of course, its 3rd movement is the greatest march ever written. Yes. But, NOTHING is like his 5th: four PERFECTLY connected movements.

[@TheAskald]

His 6th is the alternative scenario of the 5th, where things go wrong, fate is too heavy for the shoulders of the protagonist. Despite the efforts he does for keeping a positive and outgoing attitude, to stay in denial, fate has the final word. I also find the 5th more natural and connected (it's more basic but I have to admit it's my favorite), but the 6th is a fantastic piece of art. It doesn't leave me satisfied but it's filled with extraordinary pieces of music, and proposes an unconventional story that goes against the usual codes. You can say the same about Brahms 4, and it's probably why both symphonies are critically the most celebrated today. They did something new, and did it right.

[@grailgnosticism2342]

A very distinctive way of arranging strings; like a Baltic sound, interesting ... 19th century Russian music has a most unique style and concept.

[@helmiviolin5674]

Can u add English subtitle with auto generated? That will be so helpful

[@francescodefendi3201]

03:51 not fully correct. The symphony begins with 2 clarinets playing the same notes. This gives a different vibe (and Piotr, of course, knew it).