A monument of Western culture, Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C Minor may be the single best-known and recognized piece of classical music ever written. When Beethoven commenced work on his fifth symphony in 1806, his hearing loss was acute. The meaning of the fascinating four-note motive contained in this symphony has been widely debated, but this four-movement work may very well be testament to the composer's struggle and ultimate triumph over fate and adversity. The symphony continues today to reveal its timeless appeal, some two hundred years after its Vienna premiere.

RACHMANINOFF - PIANO CONCERTO NO. 2 IN C MINOR

Serge Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 is the quintessential romantic work of its type, serving up a host of memorable tunes balanced with plenty of spectacular pianism, making it one of the most popular piano concertos in the modern repertory. Unsmiling, stoic and barely moving at the keyboard, Rachmaninoff became known for his puritanically straightforward approach as a pianist, and for his beauty and warmth of tone. He wrote for his own legendarily enormous hands, which could span an interval of a thirteenth. His superior technical prowess made easy work of treacherous passagework, and consequently his own concertos present considerable challenges to pianists.

MOZART - SYMPHONY NO. 40 IN G MINOR/SYMPHONY NO. 41 IN C MAJOR

Mozart's last symphonies have been surrounded by myths and tales for most of their history. He wrote them at an astonishing rate in the summer of 1788, yet these pieces seemed to have been neither commissioned nor due for performance. From the brooding angst of the great G Minor Symphony (No. 40) to the triumphant and jubilant “Jupiter” Symphony (No. 41), Mozart infuses the form of the symphony with a new kind of romantic expression. Among all musical accomplishments, these astonishing symphonies are among humanity's timeless treasures.

DVORÁK - SYMPHONY NO. 9 IN E MINOR (FROM THE NEW WORLD)

Antonín Dvorák's Symphony No. 9 in G Major, Op. 95, subtitled “From the New World,” was the work that spread his name throughout the world. Prior to the piece's 1893 premiere in Carnegie Hall, Dvorák's music was performed in only about ten countries. But the enormous, nearly instant popularity of this symphony changed that in short order. Written during his stay in the United States, his “New World” symphony has sparked much debate about Americana contained in this music. After the premiere one critic asserted, “He (Dvorák) has compelled recognition ... that there are musical elements in America which lend themselves to beautiful treatment in the higher forms of art.” Today, his ninth symphony remains one of the most often played, well-known, well-loved works of the symphonic literature.

RIMSKY-KORSAKOV - SHEHERAZADE

Composer Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov's most famous work is the sumptuous symphonic suite Sheherazade (1888), a dazzling musical representation of fantastical tales from 1001 Arabian Nights. The four movements of the suite represent exotic and romantic stories told by a captive princess to the Sultan. Sheherazade is a feast of brilliance and colorful imagery that showcases the composer's remarkable abilities as an orchestrator. Though lambasted by critics at the time of its premier, the suite quickly became and remains a favorite of conductors, musicians and audiences.