Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13 “Babi Yar”

In 1961 Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko published “Babi Yar“, a reflection on the 1941 massacre of nearly 34,000 Jews at the Babi Yar ravine in Kiev (Kyiv), and a searing condemnation of Soviet condoned anti-Semitism. A long-time sympathizer towards the difficulties faced by Jews in Russia, Dmitri Shostakovich was determined to set the poetry to music. The result is Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13 — five movements for bass soloist, lower voice chorus, and full orchestra.

The album is available at NativeDSD from the Edit Master Source files in Stereo and 5.1 Channel Surround Sound DSD 256, DSD 128, DSD 64 and DXD plus Stereo DSD 512, FLAC 192k and FLAC 96k.

Principal Guest Conductor Gianandrea Noseda leads the London Symphony Orchestra, Vitalij Kowaljow, London Symphony Chorus and the London Philharmonic Choir in this thrilling addition to his Shostakovich symphony cycle. With an unconventional symphonic form and unusual instrumentation, including expanded percussion and exclusively low voices, the music takes an unforgettable journey: from the ominous tolling bells of the opening bars, through moments of ironic humor to the final hushed notes honoring the memory of lives lost.

Marred by controversy before and after its premiere, including being banned after two performances, Shostakovich’s Symphony No 13 remains a brazen protest against institutional racism and a hauntingly original memorial to the silent victims of persecution.

Gianandrea Noseda, Conductor
London Symphony Orchestra
Vitalij Kowaljow, Bass
London Symphony Chorus
London Philharmonic Choir