Recorded:
Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 4 September 1962 (Symphony No.12)
Royal Albert Hall, London, 10 December 1980 (Symphony No.6)
Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 August 1981 (J. Strauss II, Youmans)
This CD contains the first Western performance of Shostakovich's vast Symphony No.12 'The Year 1917' given in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh in September 1962 with the composer in attendance.
This historic event was recorded by the BBC in excellent stereo and follows the premiere, also given in the Usher Hall the same year, of Shostakovich's Symphony No.4 (BBCL 4220-2)
The coupling of Shostakovich's high spirited Symphony No.6 showcases Rozhdestvensky as music director of the BBCSO in 1980, this time from the Royal Festival Hall in superb stereo.
Three Shostakovich arrangements have been added as bonuses including the famous treatment given to Youman's Tea for Two.
“The treat here is the Sixth [Symphony]...Part apocalypse, part circus, it's unnerving and utterly thrilling.” Tim Ashley, The Guardian, 12th September 2008 ****
