Symphony No. 1 - Dmitri Shostakovich
Information about Symphony No. 1 by Dmitri Shostakovich, and the best recordings available on CD or for download.
Written when Shostakovich was 19 as his graduation piece from the Petrograd Conservatory. It earned him immediate success, and is still considered among his greatest symphonies.
The work was written in 1924-25, and is in the key of F minor. It consists of four movements lasting a total of approximately 30 minutes.
RECOMMENDED RECORDINGS
Wigglesworth (BIS BIS-1643)
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mark Wigglesworth, 2012, 2014.
BIS BIS-1643
Coupled with Symphony No. 15
Petrenko (Naxos 8.572396)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vasily Petrenko, 2009, 2010.
Naxos 8.572396
Coupled with Symphony No. 3 (The First of May)
Jansons (EMI 75886)
A great version of the first symphony, coupled with the two piano concertos.
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mariss Jansons.
EMI 75886
Bernstein (Deutsche Grammophon 427 632-2)
From a live recording in 1988 - outstanding performances of both works.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Bernstein, 1988.
Deutsche Grammophon 427 632-2
Coupled with Symphony No. 7 (Leningrad)
Jurowski (Pentatone PTC5186)
An excellent recording.
Russian National Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski.
Pentatone PTC5186
Coupled with Symphony No. 6
López-Cobos (Telarc CD80572)
An excellent recording of these works.
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jésus López-Cobos.
Telarc CD80572
Coupled with Symphony No. 15