Shostakovich: Symphonies; Concertos; Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk District
Andris Nelsons & Boston Symphony Orchestra
Deutsche Grammophon Records, 2025
REVIEW BY: Tom Haugen
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 12/22/2025
A 19-CD assembly that pays tribute to Shostakovich’s immeasurable legacy, this decade-long project from Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra concludes with this remarkable box set. This set, where pieces written decades apart flow together seamlessly, has already picked up four Grammy Awards.
The first 12 discs consist of “Symphonies Nos. 1-15,” where the symphony’s dreamy winds, bright brass, meticulous strings and thundering drumming flows in and out of calm versus busy moments of graceful, cinematic swells and timeless classical ideas.
Next up is “Incidental Music & Chamber Symphony,” which offers rich instrumentation and powerful bouts that are dramatic, while the middle tracks recruit some excellent help from revered artists Yuja Wang, Baiba Skride and Yo-Yo Ma.
Wang’s brilliant and adaptable keys illuminate the unpredictable climate of “Piano Concertos Nos. 1&2,” and Skride’s skilled violin suits the atmospheric intimacy of “Violin Concertos Nos. 1&2.” Ma’s eloquent cello than adds much sophistication to the heartfelt mood of “Cello Concertos Nos. 1&2.”
The final track, “Lady MacBeth Of The Mtsensk District,” welcomes Kristine Opolais’ stunning soprano, Brenden Gunnell and Peter Hoare’s expressive tenors and Gunther Groissbock’s well-timed bass that will appease the opera fans and is so well executed, it alone is worth the price of admission.
This symphony cycle includes several brand new recordings, and the performances are nothing short of stunning. The release runs parallel to the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich’s death, and the inimitable acoustics of Boston’s Symphony Hall adds even more impact to the experience.
A beautifully crafted boxset, it’s actually quite compact for being so many discs and won’t take up too much space on your shelf, but will keep your senses occupied for hours.