Shostakovich: Symphony No. 14 in G minor, Op. 135

Gal James,soprano
Alexander Vinogradov, baritone
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Vasily Petrenko, conductor

Vasily Petrenko and Boris Giltburg portrait for Beethoven Piano Concertos 3 & 4 album cover
About

Naxos / 2014

At its première in June 1969 Shostakovich described his Symphony No. 14, in effect a symphonic song cycle, as ‘a fight for the liberation of humanity… a great protest against death, a reminder to live one’s life honestly, decently, nobly…’ Originally intending to write an oratorio, Shostakovich set eleven poems on the theme of mortality, and in particular early or unjust death, for two solo singers accompanied by strings and percussion. This is the penultimate release in Vasily Petrenko’s internationally acclaimed symphonic cycle.

tracklisting
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 14 in G minor, Op. 135
I. De profundis. Adagio
II. Malagueña. Allegretto
III. Loreley. Allegro molto
IV. Le suicidé. Adagio
V. Les attentives I. Allegretto
VI. Les attentives II. Adagio
VII. À la Santé. Adagio
VIII. Réponse des cosaques Zaporogues au sultan de Constantinople. Allegro
IX. O, Del’vig, Del’vig. Andante
X. Der Tod des Dichters. Largo
XI. Schlußstück. Moderato
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