Bernhard Haitink & London Philharmonic Orchestra – Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 (SHM-SACD single layer)

Conductor Bernard Haitink, who passed away in 2021, was truly a conductor of the century. Born in the Netherlands, he studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory and initially played violin in various orchestras. In 1954 and 1955, he studied conducting under Ferdinand Leitner and was appointed principal conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra in 1961. In 1967, he was appointed principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Other positions included the Royal Opera House in London, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Staatskapelle Dresden and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 4” was initially overlooked due to the fierce criticism of “Lady Macbeth”, but is now considered one of the most mysterious and greatest symphonies left behind by the Russian composer and pianist. Master conductor Haitink, who has completed the complete recording of Shostakovich’s symphonies, approaches the essence of this symphony with a profound interpretation and conducting artistry. FonoForum wrote in its 5/89 issue: “The music is oppressive and grotesque, with the finest lyricism juxtaposed with unfounded outbursts – extremes that have rarely been heard as driven as here with Haitink, not even in the comparative recording by Kyrill Kondrashin and the Moscow Philharmonic.”

Originally released by Decca in 1979, this impressive recording has been remastered in high-resolution DSD by Classic Sound (UK, 2025) for Universal Music Japan. The brilliant sounding and strictly limited Japan SHM-SACD (Single Layer) comes with OBI stripe!

This title is an SHM SACD. This format is the further development of the single-layer SACD and uses a particularly light-transparent plastic (Super High Material). It allows a much better readability of the pit-land structures on the surface than is possible with hybrid SACDs. Universal’s SHM SACDs are generally re-digitized to DSD from the albums’ master tapes without any changes. SHM SACDs can be played on any SACD player. Please do not use L’Art du Son or alcohol-based cleaning agents. – Please note: All titles are designed by Universal Music as limited edition collector’s items for the Japanese market.

Lista pieselor

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906 – 1975): Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 43

1.    Allegretto Poco Moderato – Presto
2.    Presto
3.    Moderato Con Moto (Beginning)
4.    Largo
5.    Allegro