Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

We have now reached the 5th instalment in the cycle of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies with Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Neeme Järvi. Symphony No.4, which – along with No.5 – Tchaikovsky himself often referred to in the context of ‘Fate’, symbolized by a ‘fate motif’ which opens the programme and is described by the composer as: ‘This is fate, destiny, that portentous power that will not permit our quest for happiness to be successful, that jealously stands guard so that our joyfulness and peace are neither perfect nor cloudless, that hangs like the sword of Damocles above our heads and constantly, continually poisons our soul.’