Symphony No.5: Fantastica by Jimmy López receives its first performance by commissioner Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and conductor Christian Reif on 24 and 25 January. The work receives further performances from co-commissioners Detroit Symphony Orchestra (31 January and 1 – 2 February) and Gävle Symphony Orchestra (20 — 21 February). The performance on 1 February is streamed live on DSO Live.

Inspired by The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, López describes the 25 minute 5‑movement symphony as ​“an adventure on its own”. He continues, ​“The score is peppered with lightning-quick scales on woodwinds and harp, piercing pizzicati on strings, and percussion effects that include the use of paper, but [the first] movement also contains thematic clues to all the other movements”.

The work is dedicated to Christian Reif and to his son.

Find more details about Symphony No.5: Fantastica here.