Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 Weill: Symphony No. 2 CD

Two symphonies from the turbulent 1930s are juxtaposed in Lahav Shani's second Warner Classics release as Chief Conductor of The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. Shani has described Kurt Weill's Symphony No 2, premiered by Bruno Walter in Amsterdam in 1933, as "one of my favourite pieces to conduct... It is tonal music, very melodic, very theatrical, and really not comparable to anything else." Shostakovich's powerful Symphony No 5, with it's enigmatic interplay of sincerity and irony, was chosen by Shani to conclude his inaugural concert as Music Director in Rotterdam in 2018.

1. Symphony No. 2, "Symphonic Fantasy": I. Sostenuto - Allegro Molto 2. Symphony No. 2, "Symphonic Fantasy": II. Largo 3. Symphony No. 2, "Symphonic Fantasy": III. Allegro Vivace 4. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47: I. Moderato (Live) 5. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47: II. Allegretto (Live) 6. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47: III. Largo (Live) 7. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47: IV. Allegro Non Troppo (Live)