Santtu conducts Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 9

Santtu conducts Shostakovich is the fourth album from Philharmonia Records, featuring Shostakovich’s colourful Sixth Symphony alongside his subversive and sardonic Ninth Symphony. Conducted by Santtu-Matias Rouvali, these performances were recorded at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in 2023.

Founded in 1945, The Philharmonia Orchestra creates thrilling performances for a global audience and has premiered works by Richard Strauss, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Errollyn Wallen, Kaija Saariaho and many others. The Philharmonia has an extraordinary 78-year recording legacy, and has recorded around 150 soundtracks, with film credits stretching back to 1947.

Santtu-Matias Rouvali is a Finnish conductor and percussionist, and is currently principal conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Rouvali continues his relationships with orchestras across Europe, including with the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Munich Phillharmonic and the the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.

★★★★★ “Rouvali (superbly abetted by some outstanding orchestral playing) controls the evolving emotive power…utterly convincingly…Rouvali fully understands the myriad expression of this rare masterpiece: he is splendidly followed by the great Philharmonia Orchestra on top form, which is beautifully balanced throughout…The recordings are exceptionally good” – Musical Opinion

“Santtu-Matias Rouvali proves himself a persuasive Shostakovich conductor on this live recording…both symphonies here are thoughtfully and often imaginatively realised” – Gramophone