The St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Russia’s oldest symphonic ensemble, was founded in 1882. In 1988 on the initiative of the orchestra, Yuri Temirkanov became the principle conductor of the most famous national orchestra. So began the ’Temirkanov era’, the period of collaboration with one of the most sought-after conductors of our times. He widened the orchestra’s repertoire and took them on tour to Europe, Japan and the US where they became the first Russian orchestra to perform at the opening concert of the season in Carnegie Hall. In March 2009 the orchestra inaugurated the recording studio of the St Petersburg Philharmonia with a performance in the Great hall of Verdi’s Requiem which is available on Signum Classics. Shostakovich Symphony no 7 is the second release with the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and we look forward to future releases including Prokofiev’s Cinderella.

"This is a full-blooded performance of Verdi’s late work ... Full marks for passion"  - The Daily Telegraph

"Yuri Temirkanov’s mature and considered performance wears its own character with pride ... The superb St Petersburg Phil add to the potency of the mix." - The Sunday Times