Ludwig van Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, "Opus 67," is one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music to novices and experts alike. Its distinctive four-note motif struck twice to introduce the piece is immediately identifiable as a hallmark of Western, if not World, Civilization.

The Fifth Symphony was difficult for Beethoven to complete. The first sketches of the piece were made in 1804, following Beethoven's finishing touches on the Third Symphony. Between 1804 and 1808, Beethoven was repeatedly distracted from his work on the "Opus 67" to compose other pieces, including the first version of his opera Fidelio, the Appassionata piano sonata, the Violin Concerto, the Fourth Piano Concerto, and the Fourth Symphony. Completion of the Fifth Symphony took place in late 1807, early 1808 and was conducted contemporaneously with completion of the Sixth Symphony.

The Fifth Symphony premiered on December 22, 1808 at a at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna. The concert consisted entirely of Beethoven premieres directed by the composer himself. The performance took more than four hours and included in addition to the Fifth Symphony, the Sixth Symphony, sections from the C Major Mass, the Fourth Piano Concerto, and the Choral Fantasy.

Beethoven has never been out vogue or the concert hall. Recordings of the complete Nine Symphonies abound and of the Fifth and Ninth Symphonies in particular. Two notable orchestras and conductors are currently working their respective ways through Beethoven's symphonic canon: Osmo Vanska and the Minnesota Orchestra (in the first American cycle in decades) on BIS and Philippe Herreweghe and the Royal Flemish Philharmonic on Pentatone.

These two conductors and orchestras approach Beethoven from two unique and well-established directions with two equally unique and fresh interpretations. Add to this the hybrid SACD capability and these recordings win on all fronts. The nice thing about recording Beethoven Symphony cycles is that the listener is guaranteed nine superb pieces of music.

Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven Symphonies 4 & 5 [Hybrid SACD]
Minnesota Orchestra, Osmo Vanska
BIS, 2005

The United States has provided several notable Beethoven Symphony cycles that include Arturo Toscanini with the NBC Symphony Orchestra, George Szell with the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Bruno Walter with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra, and Sir Georg Solti with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. All of these sets are time honored and continue to be well thought of.

These performances are characterized by an expansive portrait sound comparable to a large colorful landscape. Performance and recording methods render these symphonies as wall-of-sound, two dimension large canvas scale. Osmo Vanska's inaugural recording with the Minnesota Orchestra on BIS records is no exception to this rule. If anything, Vanska's canvas is super-sized, providing a panoramic view of Beethoven in all his splendor. "Symphony No. 5" (coupled with "Symphony No.4" here) is as robust as it is plush.