About this edition
Composed in 1895, Aleksandr Glazunov's Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major, Op. 55 stands among the finest achievements of his eight-symphony cycle, the works that established him as the leading symphonist of the post-Tchaikovsky generation in Russia. Written at the height of his powers, the symphony pairs broad, songful melodic writing with the polished contrapuntal craftsmanship for which Glazunov was renowned, nowhere more evident than in its brilliant, driving scherzo. It is a work of confident architecture and rich orchestral color, a cornerstone of the Russian Romantic symphonic repertoire that remains a rewarding challenge for orchestras today.
This edition reproduces the first edition full score published in Leipzig by M.P. Belaieff in 1896, plate number 1332. Belaieff was founded by the timber merchant and philanthropist Mitrofan Belyaev, whose publishing house became the principal outlet for Glazunov, Rimsky-Korsakov, Lyadov, Borodin, and the wider circle of Russian composers he championed. Renowned for its meticulous engraving and exacting production standards, Belaieff issued the scores that first brought this repertoire to conductors and orchestras across Europe, and its editions remain the primary historical source for much of the Russian symphonic literature of this era, including this symphony.
About this edition:
- Full orchestral score
- Page size: 8.5 x 11 inches
- Reproduced from a public domain historical source
- Published by Purple 4R Publishing
This edition brings a public-domain historical score back into print, making Glazunov's Fifth Symphony freely accessible to musicians, students, and scholars. We hope it finds a welcome place in rehearsal rooms, studios, and libraries for years to come.