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Two fifth symphonies from Russia: in 1944, Sergei Prokofiev composed quietly on a country estate while hunger and housing shortages prevailed at home in Moscow. Prokofiev's lavishly orchestrated works are patriotic and emphatically Russian in their rhythms and melodies. And in times of the global war against Nazi Germany, with a huge dose of heroic pathos. In his Opus 100, we experience the composer as a mature, experienced symphonist and a great master of orchestration. He knows how to paint true "orchestral pictures", sometimes lyrical and opulent, sometimes dark and martial.

The label of the heroic is also attached to Alexander Glazunov's Symphony No. 5. After dark fog in the brass and an elfin scherzo in the best Mendelssohnian manner, this symphony builds up to a powerful, radiant finale, whose majestic splendor makes it Glasunov's masterpiece.

Both composers wielded the baton themselves at the premieres of their 5th symphonies. We are currently unable to do so. However, the Gürzenich Orchestra is once again looking forward to an electrifying collaboration with one of the most sought-after conductors of the younger generation, the Swiss conductor Lorenzo Viotti, an exceptional talent and expert in late-romantic sound magic. The two Russian symphonists would certainly have enjoyed this.