Symphony no. 2 / Symphony No 11

"Impeccably vivid playing from the Mariinsky orchestra ensures Gergiev is wonderful at depicting both that cinematic pictorialism and the strangeness of the Second Symphony's world; when the chorus intervenes in the Second, triggered by the sound of a factory siren, that is pretty hair-raising, too." The Guardian

The second release in Valery Gergiev's Shostakovich Symphony cycle features Symphonies Nos 2 & 11. As with the first release in the series, which featured Symphonies Nos 1 & 15, nominated for two Grammy Awards, Gergiev conducts works from opposite ends of Shostakovich's career. The Second and Eleventh symphonies are both inspired by Russian revolutions. The Eleventh Symphony, subtitled 'The Year 1905' marks the bloody revolution of that year. It is an astonishingly atmospheric symphony, of cinematic breadth, especially in second movement which depicts the Bloody Sunday massacre in St Petersburg. Symphony No 2 was written to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the October Revolution. At less than 20 minutes, it is a much shorter work than the Eleventh symphony yet no less dramatic. Although dismissed by the composer later in his career as an experiment, it remains an important step in the development of one of the greatest symphonists and both works receive definitive performances from the Mariinsky Orchestra and Chorus. Gergiev and the Mariinsky tour in the US during October where Gergiev also conducts at the Metropolitan Opera. In November they visit Paris and Berlin. Gergiev also conducts the LSO in London as well as on tour in Japan during November.