Vladimir Jurowski conducts Tchaikovsky Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5

The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Vladimir Jurowski take us on a musical journey through Tchaikovsky's darkest symphonies, Nos. 4 and 5.

Tchakovsky wrote most of his Symphony No. 4 in the midst of an emotional crisis. The work is dominated by the idea of Fate, which Tchaikovsky said ‘hangs above your head like the sword of Damocles, and unwaveringly, constantly poisons the soul’.

From the intensity of the first movement, to the melancholic second, and the redemption of the triumphant finale, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Vladimir Jurowski capture the emotions running deep within the music.

The flowing waltz from Symphony No. 5 is a striking contrast to the dark and desperate first movement, or the sombre second. Moments of positivity are eclipsed with heavy string melodies and ominous trumpet fanfares, until the symphony races to the finish in a triumphant close.

It’s an emotional rollercoaster through the depths of despair to a form of musical redemption, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra expertly guiding us through.