The charismatic St Petersburg-born Vasily Petrenko has really been turning things around at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra since he took over as principal conductor in 2005. With both standards and audiences on the up he has embarked upon his first major recording project – to record all 15 Shostakovich symphonies for the Naxos label. The two previous releases have received tremendous notices and in this exclusive podcast he talks about the project in general and the latest release - the war-torn Eighth Symphony - in particular.
reviews, news & interviews
The Seckerson Tapes: Petrenko's Shostakovich Eight
Hear about the latest installment of Vasily Petrenko's stonking cycle
Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic's latest CD release
Support the future of arts journalism
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thanks so much for choosing genuinely independent arts journalism theartsdesk’s mission has never been more important – in an age of relentless algorithmic recommendation, sponsored content and unreliable AI, the expertise and discernment of individual critics deeply embedded in their specialist areas is absolutely vital.
If you want more of that in your life, why not subscribe now?
If you do this before the 31st August, you’ll be able to keep at this “founders rate” for life: your subs will never increase! You can choose to subscribe annually for just £40 simply click here
or monthly for £5 per month simply click here.
Not ready to subscribe?
If you want to support with a little extra or aren’t ready to subscribe just yet, there’s also the option to give direct to our crowdfunder to support our imminent redesign and exciting expansion with new features and collaborations Simply contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d.
However you choose to be involved, you can proudly say that you are picking the right side in the battle for truth and humanity in the modern information landscape. And we will be very glad to have you on board!
more classical music
Eloquent thoughts on the wonder of 'Dichterliebe' and a new work inspired by it
O'Sullivan, Fantasia Orchestra, Fetherstonhaugh, Smith Square Hall review - the sassy airs of summer
Latest in a line of great Irish mezzos shows her versatility, and the strings swoon
A pair of much-loved cello concertos, plus percussion transcriptions and a great German song cycle
Two recitals in a thousand, other events good to excellent
Distinction and emotional impact from young musicians and an exuberant maestro
A brass hero blows through favourite pieces - and a bluesy newcomer
Baroque concertos, opera arias on solo horn and new music for contrabass flute
Subtle, introspective 'Harold in Italy' followed by over-punchy 'Symphonie fantastique'
Semi-staged version brings a heightened appreciation of the symphony's jostle of voices
Cellist/singer with friends and top quartet make welcome returns to the DICMF
Striking performances by a quartet with a strong sense of identity
Life-enhancing Danish piano music and a trio of epic symphonies