Always self-critical as a composer, Tchaikovsky was initially unhappy with his Fifth Symphony, but it is hard to think of any other work that is so rich in unforgettable melodies or so opulently coloured. The work soon became the most beloved of all his symphonies amongst audiences deeply moved by the transformation of its Fate motif into an exultant message of triumphant affirmation. Tchaikovsky’s ‘noisy festival piece’, the 1812 Overture is filled with dramatic effects topped by the glorious din of cannon-shots and bells. These classic Vox recordings by the Utah Symphony Orchestra were originally released in 1974, and remain much admired to this day for conductor Maurice Abravanel’s fresh and direct interpretations.