In the first half of 2006 the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra paid special attention to the 100th anniversary of Shostakovich’s (1906-1975) birth with a series of concerts, opera, film performances and other events.
Chief conductor Mariss Jansons led the orchestra in Shostakovich’s Symphony no. 7, the Leningrad, during concerts that formed part of the above series on 19 and 22 January 2006.
These performances in the Concertgebouw were recorded live for later release on RCO Live, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’s own record label. A few days later the orchestra took the work on an international tour through London, Brussels, Chicago and New York amongst other places; the orchestra’s performance of the symphony was met throughout with great acclaim.
Recorded live at Concertgebouw Amsterdam on 19 and 22 January 2006.