Shostakovich: "Leningrad" Symphony
Boston Symphony & Gewandhausorchester, Andris Nelsons

It fell to Leipzig to generate a decisive impulse in the establishment of Dimitri Shostakovich’s symphonic works in international concert life. Shostakovich’s music was first heard in Leipzig on 14 November 1929, when Bruno Walter conducted Symphony No. 1 in C minor. From 1976 to 1978, the Gewandhausorchester was the first orchestra in the world to perform all fifteen of Shostakovich’s symphonies as a complete cycle under the baton of Kurt Masur.

At the center of the Shostakovich Festival was a performance of Shostakovich’s "Leningrad" Symphony, in which Andris Nelsons led the combined forces of the Gewandhausorchester and the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the Gewandhaus. Since its initiation in 2018, both orchestras, at the helm of both of which Andris Nelsons stands, have continuously developed an ever-closer transatlantic partnership.

Dmitri Shostakovich's 7th Symphony, known as the "Leningrad Symphony", was composed during World War II and stands as a masterpiece of both artistic and historical significance. Premiered in 1941 amidst the siege of Leningrad, it became a symbol of resistance against Nazi occupation. Shostakovich composed the work under extreme conditions, living in Leningrad himself and enduring the effects of the siege. The symphony is characterized by its monumental scale and emotional intensity, capturing the tragedy and hope of war. Its distinctive themes and dramatic contrasts reflect the turmoil and resilience of the besieged city.