Shostakovich's Symphony No 8 Vasily Petrenko conducts Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65
Price: £ 7
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65
I. Adagio - Allegro non troppo
II. Allegretto
III. Allegro non troppo
IV. Largo
V. Allegretto
Following on Vasily Petrenko’s acclaimed interpretations of Shostakovich’s Symphonies No. 11 and Nos. 5 and 9 with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, comes this recording of Symphony No. 8
Written during World War II, the unusually constructed Eighth Symphony is a powerful work built on striking contrasts between music which is at times unremittingly bleak and at others brutally intense. The predominantly slow opening movement, punctuated by a terrifying central crescendo, is followed by a scherzo of savage parody. At the heart of the Symphony a second fast movement builds remorselessly to a shattering climax over pounding timpani. The rapt, largely introspective fourth movement, Largo, leads straight into the last movement, Allegretto, which seems to reach out for hope in an uncertain world.
"The series of Shostakovich symphonies by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic under young Vasily Petrenko has rightly been gaining plaudits. Here they tackle the mightiest of all with impressive results for interpretation and recording. It is the budget disc of the year."
Daily Mail Budget Disc of the Year 2010's Top Five Classical CDs
"A shattering account of Shostakovich’s urgent, anguished Eighth Symphony proved that conductor Vasily Petrenko is building a cycle for the ages."
Time Out New York - The Best Albums of 2010
"The young Russian maestro achieves a deeply personal identification with the bitter intensity and weary desolation that pervade this wartime masterpiece from 1943."
No. 7 in John von Rhein's Chicago Tribune Top 10 Classical Albums of 2010.
"A shattering symphony in a performance that offers no place to hide. Tough music in spots, but completely moving, even draining. Naxos' budget pricing is the icing on the cake. "
No. 9 in Philadelphia City Paper Top 10 Classical Albums of 2010.
“Petrenko confirms his credentials as perhaps the outstanding Shostakovich interpreter among the younger generation of Russian conductors with this expansive and penetration account…an ideal introduction to one of Shostakovich’s most shattering scores.”
Hugh Canning, The Sunday Times
"The performance is gripping and has all the hallmarks of a best-seller."
Geoffrey Norris, The Telegraph - read the full review
"Petrenko, at 34, is delving into his Russian heritage to superb effect."
Mark J. Estren, Washington Post - read the full review
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