Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 comes to Alexandria, Cairo Opera Houses

CAIRO – 17 November 2017: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.5 in E Minor, Op. 64 will be coming to the Alexandria and Cairo Opera Houses on Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18, respectively.

Composed between May and August 1888, Russian composer Tchaikovsky wanted to follow up the failure of his Symphony No.4, composed a decade earlier, with one that would garner audiences’ positive reaction. Alas, the Symphony No.5 failed to garner the reaction he had hoped for, leaving Tchaikovsky heartbroken and dispirited.

Yet after his death the symphony started seeing critical acclaim. Critics praised it for its ingenious usage of a ‘fake theme’, and progress from a somber, weak beginning to a joyfully, triumphant ending. The symphony goes through four movements, starting with the Andante - Allegro con Anima, a slow dark introduction that ushers in the second phase, the Andante cantabile, a subdued string chords that lead to an upbeat horn theme. Eventually, the Andante cantabile gives way to the Valse: Allegro moderato, which is hurried and quick, leading out to the grand finale, the triumphant Andante maestoso-Allegro vivace!

Conductor Hisham Gabr will be leading Tchaikovsky’s symphony, and soloist Hassan Sharara will guide the violins. The performance is part of Ahmed El Saedi's “Festive Overture” programme.