Shostakovich’s Symphony no.5 was premiered in 1937. It was composed in response to the Soviet denouncement in Pravda of the composer’s most recent works. The symphony was an overwhelming success, returning the composer to favour with the authorities, and remains one of the most performed symphonies of the 20th century. The jaunty, neo-Classical character of Symphony no.9 was in stark contrast to the ‘victory symphony’ expected by Soviet officialdom. Shostakovich’s startlingly different original draft for the opening of the first movement can be heard on 8572138.

Jaap van Zweden has been music director of the New York Philharmonic since 2018 and music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) since 2012. In 2018 he completed a four-year project conducting Wagner’s Ring cycle with the HK Phil, which was released on Naxos 8501403, and critically acclaimed worldwide for a ‘thrilling sense of drama’ (The Sunday Times, London).

Hong Kong Philharmonic’s most recent recordings include the Tenth Symphonies of Mahler and Shostakovich (8574372): ‘Under the Dutch conductor, this orchestra has flourished; strings are perfectly moulded… Van Zweden’s pace is forwardmoving but not rushed, the sound and balances in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre superb’ (BBC Music Magazine), and ‘The Shostakovich is characterised by the same expansiveness… an interesting and thoughtful coupling’ (Gramophone).

The year after Van Zweden was appointed music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Naxos released his performance of Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no.1 as a soloist (8573271): ‘Van Sweden’s virtuosity as a violinist…is here shown to be of the highest class’ (Musical Opinion).