Karina Canellakis conducts Shostakovich 5

Seduction tricks

Of Shostakovich's fifteen symphonies, the Fifth symphony is considered one of his most popular. In the four-movement work, the composer throws all his seduction skills into battle. He pulled out all the stops just to please Stalin and his cronies who had criticized his recent music. His response was this extremely personal symphony, as an ode to the struggling, persevering human being.

French master cellist

The Radio Philharmonic and Karina Canellakis don't stop at an ardent plea for Shostakovich's epic composition. They perform a gripping orchestral work by American Missy Mazzoli and put Haydn's First Cello Concerto in a stylish setting. None other than French master cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras casts his perceptive eye on the popular work.