Sounds Magnificent – The Story of the Symphony

This series, featuring Sir André Previn and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, tells the story of the symphony. In each programme, Previn introduces a performance of a major symphonic work. He sets the music to be performed in the context of its composer's life and work, explaining the way in which it contributed to the development of the symphonic form. His comments are illustrated by the orchestra, who play a variety of supporting extracts. The music featured in the series is Haydn's Symphony No. 87, Mozart's Symphony No. 39, Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 (extracts) and Symphony No. 7, Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, Brahms' Symphony No. 4, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 (Pathetique), and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5. Six parts à 88'.