Shostakovich’s Symphony No.8. Leningrad Philharmonic/Mravinsky (undated film).

“Shostakovich during work on the Eighth Symphony at the Guesthouse for Composers in Ivanovo. July 1943. Photographed by Nina Shostakovich Credit: DSCH Publishers“

Tied to this,

Holocaust Memorial Day. Shostakovich Symphony No.8 (1943) in one of its greatest recordings: LSO & André Previn. LP: HMV ASD2917 (released 1973).

and, in particular, Rob Cowan’s comment.

Footnote: Mravinsky conducted the premiere of Shostakovich Eight on November 4, 1943, not with the Leningrad Phil but the Moscow-based USSR Symphony Orchestra.

The first recording of Shostakovich Five, Leningrad/Mravinsky, March 27, 1938, included here…

BBC Proms 2025 – Shostakovich Symphony Five – Aurora Orchestra/Nicholas Collon: a staged background to the music and a complete performance. Live on BBC Radio 3.