Shostakovich: Symphony No. 15

Two names which, in this combination, really make you sit up and notice. With his recordings of the Russian’s great symphonies, Michael’s father Kurt Sanderling left the ultimate reference recordings. A legacy too for Michael Sanderling, just as the 15th, Shostakovich’s final symphony, was a legacy from the composer himself.

As Dmitri Shostakovich began his 15th and final symphony, he was already physically ailing, but he was able to summon up all his powers for one last time. Compared to many of his earlier symphonies, the work’s instrumentation is almost reminiscent of chamber music. 

Bonus: Interview with Michael Sanderling