A hard-fought victory is also a victory, even if the path to it feels dubious. Pyotr Tchaikovsky knew all about this when he struggled to find the creative will for his fifth symphony in the summer of 1888. Yet this would prove to be one of his most vital compositions. The subdued darkness of the opening clarinets feels like the voice of fate, a shadow that follows us throughout the work. A melodious declaration of love to one of the horn repertoire's most beautiful solos brings to mind John Denver's Annie's Song, but the idyll soon turns into panic where the trombones and bassoons sound like real monsters! Victory does not come easily – but when it does, Maxime Pascal brings it home with his explosive stage language, which fills the entire room and drives the music to its powerful climax.