Edward Gardner conducts Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 4 | Philharmonia Orchestra

The Fourth Symphony was for many, including Tchaikovsky, a breakthrough. Here, Tchaikovsky is in total control of the orchestral palette, with highly original colours – such as an almost entirely ‘plucked’ third movement. Woven into the entire work is the ‘fate’ motif, spelled out in the first movement, subsequently developed, and by the finale it is violently thrown around the orchestra in a torrent of enthusiasm. It is the composer’s most exciting symphonic invention. Before this, the most well-known of Shostakovich’s two piano concertos. Written for his son’s 19thbirthday, who later premièred the work, its highlight is its exquisite slow movement – more-than-slightly Romantic in style.

“Gardner made the familiar score sound thrillingly new”. The Times, May 2010