The Symphony No. 5 in E minor by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was composed between May and August 1888. It was first performed, under Tchaikovsky's own baton, in St Petersburg on November 6, 1888. While composing the symphony, Tchaikovsky constantly doubted his powers of composition. However, after a performance of the symphony in Hamburg the composer wrote: I no longer have a bad opinion of the symphony, and like it once more!" Musicologist and Tchaikovsky expert Constantin Floros analyzes the connection between Tchaikovsky's work and his biography. Claudio Abbado conducts the Berlin Philharmonic.

Encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on October 10, 2014. Learn360 is distributed by Infobase for Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Meridian Education, and Shopware.

Tchaikovsky Introduction (1:42) -- "Symphony No. 5 in E minor" (2:35) -- Andante Movement (2:01) -- Andante Themes (3:19) -- Tchaikovsky Biography (3:57) -- Andante Cantabile Movement (4:25) -- Instrumental Music Controversy (1:28) -- Valse Movement (2:21) -- German Input (1:42) -- Andante Maestoso Movement (2:09) -- "Symphony No. 5 in E minor" Conclusion (2:50) -- Credits: Discovering Masterpieces of Classical Music: Tchaikovsky (Documentary) (0:39).