The Twelfth Symphony, dedicated to Lenin, received a glowing reception from Soviet officialdom but was seen by critics as generalized and impersonal, and not among Shostakovich's finest works.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Shostakovich's symphonies, along with Mahler's, represent 'modern' music to non-specialist concertgoers.
Performer Biography
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, featured on this recording, is Britain's oldest surviving professional symphony orchestra, founded in 1840.
Performer Biography
Vasily Petrenko, the conductor on this album, was appointed Principal Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in 2006 and became Chief Conductor in 2009.
Recording & Production
This album is part of an ongoing Shostakovich cycle recorded by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Vasily Petrenko.
Composition History
Both Shostakovich's Sixth and Twelfth Symphonies originated as large-scale projects commemorating Vladimir Lenin, the Russian revolutionary leader.
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