Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 9 (Naxos Audio CD)

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko, conductor


Following their electrifying account of Shostakovich’s Eleventh Symphony (8.572082), Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra explore the profound ambivalences of the composer’s most performed symphony, the Fifth, written in 1937 at a time when he was under intense personal and political pressure from the authorities.

The jaunty, neo-classical character of the Ninth Symphony (1945) prompted Shostakovich to remark that ‘musicians will like to play it, and critics will delight in blasting it’.

Shostakovich’s startlingly different original draft for the opening of the Ninth’s first movement is available on 8.572138.

“[Petrenko] achieves world-class results with a rejuvenated RLPO in this gripping account…. This outstanding account of a great symphony can hold its head high among recent versions… At Naxos prices, it’s an unbeatable bargain.”
(CD of the Week) The Sunday Times

“The RLPO delivers an incisive and strongly committed performance with splendid and expressive solos…..[and the recording] is commendably vivid.”
BBC Music Magazine