In 1961 Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko published "Babi Yar", a reflection on the 1941 massacre of nearly 34,000 Jews at the Babi Yar ravine in Kiev (Kyiv), and a searing condemnation of Soviet condoned anti-Semitism. A long-time sympathiser towards the difficulties faced by Jews in Russia, Dmitri Shostakovich was determined to set the poetry to music. The result is his Symphony No 13—five movements for bass soloist, lower voice chorus, and full orchestra.

Principal Guest Conductor Gianandrea Noseda leads the LSO in this thrilling addition to his Shostakovich symphony cycle. With an unconventional symphonic form and unusual instrumentation, including expanded percussion and exclusively low voices, the music takes an unforgettable journey: from the ominous tolling bells of the opening bars, through moments of ironic humour to the final hushed notes honouring the memory of lives lost.

Marred by controversy before and after its premiere, including being banned after two performances, Shostakovich’s Symphony No 13 remains a brazen protest against institutional racism and a hauntingly original memorial to the silent victims of persecution.

Composer Dmitri Shostakovich
Conductor Gianandrea Noseda
Performers London Symphony Orchestra, Vitalij Kowaljow, London Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir

Symphony No. 13 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 113, "Babi Yar"
1. Babi Yar. Adagio
2. Humour. Allegretto
3. In the Store. Adagio
4. Fears. Largo
5. Career. Allegretto

Release Date 28 August 2025
LSO0392-D | 0822231139256

Producer Nicholas Parker
Engineers Jonathan Stokes and Neil Hutchinson for Classic Sound Ltd
Recorded 2 April 2023, in the Barbican Hall, London

Digital booklet in English, French and German

ALAC - Stereo 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Apple devices (MacOS and iOS)
FLAC - Stereo 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Windows and Android devices
MP3 - Stereo 320kbps - Universal compatibility