The Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, Op. 55, was written by Alexander Glazunov from April to October 1895. Although in this symphony Glazunov returned to his conventional four-movement layout (his Fourth Symphony had only three) he frequently utilizes thematic transformation.
Instrumentation
The symphony calls for a romantic orchestra of the following instruments:
Glazunov dedicated his Fifth to Sergei Taneyev, a Russiancomposer, pianist, and teacher, and it was first performed at the Second Russian Concert at the Hall of the Nobility in St. Petersburg on 17 November 1896; the premiere was conducted by the composer himself.