Product Review

Valery Gergiev continues his Shostakovich symphony cycle with an emotionally-charged performance of the seventh symphony. Shostakovich dedicated his Symphony No.7 to the defiance shown by the citizens of Leningrad in the face of Nazi totalitarianism. Despite the widespread reassessment that has since taken place regarding the inspirations for his symphonies, the ''Leningrad'' symphony remains a highly-potent symbol for the residents of modern-day St. Petersburg. Previous releases in Gergiev's Shostakovich cycle have received two GRAMMY award nominations, as well as Chocs from Classica (France) and Editor's Choices from Gramophone (UK).