Dmitri Shostakovich - Symphony No. 8 (Alain Altinoglu)

Information

Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich

• Symphony No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 65

Frankfurt Radio Symphony

Alain Altinoglu, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Alpha Classics

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This recording, featuring the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra under music director Alain Altinoglu, presents the second volume in their complete Shostakovich symphony cycle with the composer’s unsettling Eighth Symphony. Dedicated to conductor Yevgeny Mravinsky, who was deeply moved by its dramatic arc and portrayal of terror, the monumental work stands as one of Shostakovich's personal favorites alongside his Fourth Symphony. Exploring poignant themes of martyrdom, human suffering, and loss of agency, Altinoglu and the orchestra offer a compelling, nuanced interpretation of this complex masterpiece, capturing both its intense tragic weight and its profound, haunting emotional depth.

Born in Paris in 1975, Alain Altinoglu studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, where he now teaches conducting. He serves as Music Director of the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, Chief Conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Artistic Director of the Festival International de Colmar. Acclaimed for his expressive and insightful leadership, Altinoglu regularly conducts many of the world’s foremost orchestras and appears at leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, and Covent Garden. Also an active recitalist with mezzo-soprano Nora Gubisch, he records for major international labels.

High Resolution 24-bit / 48 kHz