Your Favorite Fabulous First Bars Of Your Favorite Fifth?

If the first phrase of Shostakovich 5 doesn't leave you wanting to hear the rest of the piece, then something is horribly wrong.

And...oooh...oooh! Can I count Stravinsky's "Symphony in Three Movements" as his "fifth" symphony? (preceded by Symphony in Eb, Symphonies of Wind Instruments (not a traditional symphony by any stretch...but...), Symphony in C, and Symphony of Psalms)

Carl Nielsen Symphony No. 5

I don't know how many bars after the ostinato thirds, but those, then followed by the entry of the first theme in the winds, I've always found remarkable.

You sense the tension immediately, know right away that "We are Not In Kansas Anymore." The listener gets the instant signal that something very outside our expectations is afoot. (Beautiful piece, as a whole, btw.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5QWhL5SwUY

For sheer blatant audacity and grandness? Dear, dear Luigi, Piano Concerto No. 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx0_VMH7Kmk

Arthur Honegger ~ Symphony No. 5, 'Di Tre re.' The opening has some seriously impressive verticals as gesture. Still startling even today.

Baudo, my preferred recording, older engineering

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfVP8f7iIMU

a later recording, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra; Neeme Järvi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIIQyDwlX7o

Best regards.

I'll suggest two more symphonies that open with solos, both linked by the structural use of a non-diatonic semi-tone that wretches with possibilities.

Sibelius Symhpony no.1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daZGlsLWqOY

and Bruckner no. 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oosMPN_fTzE&feature...

Such a simple beautiful opening that well . . . leads to a 80 minute Bruckner symphony.

As a violist, I think I may have to say Mendelssohn's. I suggest taking a listen to Christoph Poppen's recording of it with the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken-Kaiserslautern. The violas (and cellos/basses) at the beginning are so luscious and hymn-like.

Didn't know you were fond of alliteration? A shame we can't cite Fabulous Fourths (and not be restricted to the first four bars): the opening of the Tchaikovsky or that of Sibelius's fourth symphonies would be my nominees.

Sorry, but other than the two you've listed, I seem to be drawing a complete blank on favorite 5ths,

Alberich

Shostakovich 5 for me too..

Just 5 measures of music isn't enough to gauge. You need to listen to the whole piece.

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edit, @ doc watson: The first 5 measures of Unfinished Fugue from Art of Fugue isn't very attention-grabbing but it is by far one of the greatest and unsurpassed pieces.

Most music with attractive, attention-grabbing first few measures actually lost listener's attention eventually as the initial kick dissipates. I'm not going to name pieces lest some users jump at me again.