The Symphony No. 5 of Russian composer Alexander Glazunov is a fine example of the post-Tchaikovsky symphony of the Russian Silver Age. Composed in 1895—that is, two years after Tchaikovsky's premature death—Glazunov's Fifth is composed with memorable themes set in powerful forms and scored with craftsmanship. A masterfully optimistic work, Glazunov's Fifth takes the best elements from the Russian nationalist school of Balakirev and Borodin—the strong themes and muscular rhythms—and the best elements of cosmopolitan Russians like Rubinstein and Rimsky-Korsakov—tremendous formal control and harmonic cogency—and creates a symphony that rivals the best of contemporary works by European composers. The Fifth opens with a Maestoso introduction of great strength and confidence followed by a splendid sonata-form Allegro. The second movement is a light and elegant Scherzo, the third movement is a tenderly affectionate Andante, and the finale movement is a festive Allegro in modified sonata-rondo form. But while the movements are in the standard symphonic forms of the late and post-Romantic period, Glazunov's keen intelligence and open-hearted emotionalism fills these forms with glorious themes and harmonies. While Glazunov's earlier Third is as positive in tone and his later Eighth is as brilliantly composed, his Fifth is his most characteristic work.

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