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Background:

• The creation of the Fifth Symphony can be traced to musical ideas explored during the composition of Prokofiev's earlier work, particularly the Symphony No. 4 in C major composed fourteen years prior. Prokofiev incorporated these musical motifs into a piano score over less than a month during his stay at The Composers' House in Ivanovo, under the background of the Soviet Union’s involvement in World War II.
• He gave out in a statement at the time of the work's premiere that he intended it as "a hymn to free and happy Man, to his mighty powers, his pure and noble spirit."
• The symphony was premiered on January 13, 1945, in the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory by the USSR State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Prokofiev himself.
• As he took the stage, artillery fired. He paused until it finished. This left a great impression upon the audience, who upon leaving the Great Hall learned the gunfire marked the Red Army's crossing of the Vistula into Germany.[7] The premiere was very well received, and the symphony has remained one of the composer's most popular works.

Recordings:

• The Complete Symphonies.
  Symphony No. 5.
  London Symphony Orchestra.
  Valery Gergiev.
  Decca.
  Gramophone Magazine (2006): Disc of the Month.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2011): First Choice.
  Gramophone Awards (2007): Winner Orchestral.

• The Complete Symphonies.
  Symphony No. 5
  Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
  Neeme Jarvi.
  Chandos.
  Gramophone Awards (1985): Winner Orchestral.

• Prokofiev & Stravinsky.
  Symphonie No. 5.
  Berliner Philharmoniker.
  Herbert von Karajan.
  Deutsche Grammophon.
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2022): Recommended.

• Symphony No. 5.
  London Symphony Orchestra.
  Gianandrea Noseda.
  LSO.

About Coram Deo

Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.