Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos.2 & 11

The debut release in Valery Gergiev s Shostakovich symphony cycle with the Mariinsky Orchestra was nominated for two GRAMMY® awards. The latest chapter in the series features the second and eleventh symphonies, which were both inspired by Russian revolutions. The eleventh, subtitled The Year 1905, marks the bloody revolution of that year. It is an astonishingly atmospheric symphony of cinematic breadth, especially in the second movement, which depicts the Bloody Sunday massacre in St. Petersburg. The second symphony was written to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the October Revolution and even at only twenty minutes in length, it has no shortage of drama. 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. Both works receive definitive performances here, enhanced by stunning surround-sound.