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Shostakovich’s Symphonies Nos. 5 and 9 Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47 & Symphony No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 70

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Dmitry SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)

Symphonies Nos. 5 and 9

Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47 (1937)
I. Moderato/Allegro non troppo
II. Allegretto
III. Largo
IV. Allegro non troppo

Symphony No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 70 (1945)
I. Allegro
II. Moderato
III. Presto –
IV. Largo –
V. Allegretto – Allegro

Following their electrifying account of Shostakovich’s Eleventh Symphony, Vasily Petrenko and 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.

“[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

"Petrenko’s Shostakovich symphony series with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic continues with the pivotal Fifth from the 1930s and the mischievously lightweight Ninth. Playing and recording, as before, are sparkling. And, as usual, interpretations veer towards caution, with none of the moods, from cold despair to brisk jollity, ever over-indulged. The finales bring out the conductor’s best: the Fifth grimly assertive, hammering; the Ninth spinning like a carousel out of control."
Geoff Brown, The Times - read the full review

 "With the second instalment of Vasily Petrenko's Shostakovich cycle for Naxos maintaining the high standard set in the first (his account of the Eleventh Symphony earlier this year), the discs seem to be as much documentary evidence of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic's ­renaissance under Petrenko as they are confirmations of his qualities as a ­Shostakovich conductor."
Andrew Clements, The Guardian - read the full review

 "The more subversive of these two symphonies [No. 9] draws a truly breathtaking response from Vasily Petrenko and his now world-class Liverpudlians"
David Nice, BBC Music Magazine - read the full review