Shostakovich really got sick and tired of everyone messing up his piece so he got out of the grave and conducted it himself

Composers you'll see in this performance: Shostakovich - the conductor Debussy - the flautist Mahler - the concertmaster violinist

Shostakovich wrote this symphony with more instruments/musicians than what was standard in an orchestra at the time. He apparently did this because he knew members of the orchestra would get extra rations in the starving Leningrad, and the more people he could get in the orchestra, the more people he knew would be fed.

So cool that they got Shostakovich himself to conduct. The lengths people will go to put on a good performance is inspiring.

Conducted by Shostakovich himself apparently...

It's wonderful to see such a co-production: Shostakovich himself conducting and Debussy as solo flute.

I can not stop crying, it's my 20th time listening this GREAT SYPHONY and every time I end up crying and sobbing. My maternal grandma was from Kyiv, she was miraculously evacuated to Urals. The other grandma from St. Petersburg (then Leningrad), endured the horrible winter of '41, the most darkest time of this beautiful city. How can I listen to this without tears, especially in 2024? It's heartbreaking, yet I cling to hope for something that seems impossible now - the mending of bonds between the great people of Ukraine and Russia.

for anyone interested in the history of this piece - i highly recommend the book “symphony for the city of the dead.” a masterful retelling of shostakovich’s life and the siege of leningrad

A Russian composer, a German orchestra and conducted by a Finn. I can picture Dmitri listening off to the side....smiling.

I clicked the video beacuse I saw Shostakovich conducting in 2019.

Nicht Silber,nicht Gold,,,nicht Diamant ,,,,die Genialität dieses Werk`s ist mit Worten nicht zu fassen.

The story of the Leningrad Symphony's first performance, in 1942, in Leningrad under siege from the Germans, is heartrending. The people of Leningrad were starving, dying. Insufficient musicians remained to play the symphony which requires 100. The Soviet military ordered regular soldiers, if they were musicians, to report to Leningrad to play this symphony. Loudspeakers were assembled so not only the people of the city could hear, but to allow the Germans besieging them to listen. We in the West have no idea how Russians have borne suffering. This huge symphony is always called the Leningrad. The German soldiers wondered that these people could produce such music.

Can we just take a minute to admire the camera work and quality-

If you ever visit Saint Petersburg you can often hear this symphony being played at the Memorial Cemetery. Half a million victims of the Siege of Leningrad are buried there. "No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten."

Создавая это произведение Шестакович не только представлял весь ужас огромной чудовищной подавляющее машины гитлеризма весь отчаянный протест и борьбу советского народа за свою родину,но светлое время победы ,созидательный труд народа после перенесённых огромных неисчеслимых потерь , низкий поклон нашим родителям прошедших эти тяготы войны,светлая им память.а Шестакович гениален,только одной музыкой показать огромный пласт человеческой истории

Imagine what Leningrad people felt that moment they heard this masterpiece. They felt power, strength from nothing, anger, pride and a huge willingness to WIN. And they WON. As a Russian, I am proud to carry on the memory of my great ancestors. Thank to Red Army and brave Soviet people (all the republics not only Russian Republic). I will never forget this heroic deed.

A reaction of someone who heard the first performance in starving Leningrad: "On the one hand I wanted to cry but at the same time there was a sense of pride. 'Damn you, we have an orchestra! We're at the Philharmonic Hall so you Germans stay where you are!' We were surrounded by Germans. They were shelling us, but there was this feeling of superiority." The end of the concert was greeted at first with silence. "And then suddenly there was a storm of applause," recalled Ksenia Matus. "A girl came up from the audience with a bunch of flowers. She gave them to the conductor. Can you imagine fresh garden flowers during the blockade? It was unbearably joyful."

I’m just a young man living in Petersburg (who was Leningrad for those who don’t know) and every time I hear this piece of art I wanna cry so badly. Every step that I make and every meter of my city was made with blood and talent of people like Shostakovich and millions of unnamed soldiers nurses fireman and so on. Because of this I’m really pleased that I can live in piece and hear this music. Glad to hear German orchestra playing this masterpiece making it immortal and international. It should remind us of how disgusting war is. Nothings forgotten. Nobody’s forgotten. Just live in peace wherever and whoever you are.

Almost 80 years removed from the tragic events a German orchestra conducted by a Finnish maestro plays this majestic symphony by a Russian composer. Just beautiful.

Умирая, город слушал эту музыку😢зная об этом волосы встают дыбом. Не дай бог такого испытания никому

I. 0:28 II. 29:14 III. 40:50 IV. 1:01:12

THIS MAN IS 23.

I was born in 1990 in Leningrad(nowadays St Petersburg) and I cant listen to the 7th symphony without tears. Germans destroyed many men but they didn't destroy our souls. Memory about this hell will be passed through generations till the last Russian alive.

Parts of the symphony Comparative to Incidents and battles 0:30-7:13 Leningrad theme (Invasion of France,Molotov ribbentrop pact,winter war) 7:13-16:25 Invasion theme (Operation Babarossa) 16:25-29:15 Theme of Resistance (Siege of Leningrad) 29:15-34:10 Second movements theme (Battle of Kiev,Minsk,Sevastopol) 34:10-40:55 Blood and Terror theme (Battle for Moscow) 40:55-49:15 Theme of The countryside (Winter Counter offensive) 49:15-1:01:11 third movement B theme (Battle of Stalingrad,Untenehmen Fall blau) 1:01:11-1:12:07 4th movement themes (Operation Uranus,Operation Little saturn) 1:12:07-1:16:00 Change in key (Operation citadel,Battle of kursk,Battle of Kharkiv) 1:16:00 build up for victory theme (Soviet Counter offensive after kursk,Relive of the Siege of Leningrad,The symphonies Leningrad Premiere) 1:17:56 Victory theme (First time) (Operation Bagration,Recapturing Kiev,Recapturing Minsk, Collapse of german army group north and center) 1:18:39 Victory theme (Finale) (Battle for Berlin,Liberation of Yugoslavia,Operation Overlord,Defection of the Balkans,German surrender)

Shostakovich rose from the grave and conducted it himself.

7:08 - 21:15 In August, 1941 Schostakowitsch wrote: "I don't know fate of this thing, a leisured critics will probably reproach me for imitating Ravel's Bolero. Let them reproach, but this is how I hear the war."

Das ist sehr schön!Die Müsik von der Grösser Russischer Kompositor Dmitri Schostakovitsch auf alle Jahren in alles Welt!!!

I didn't realize I could listen to Shostakovich so intently. Hard to believe it was 4 years ago. I'm impressed, really.🎉🎉🎉🎉

This conductor was 22-23 in this video.... It's crazy how the prodigies are getting younger and younger, damn. He did a brilliant job! They all did. Beautiful recording too, much more even than some others I've seen, now I don't have to fiddle with the volume so much.

I can't believe this conductor was born in 1996! He's REALLY young!

In Leningrad in 1942 they gave an hour-long standing ovation. It was so loud and so long even the Germanys could hear it

The siege of Leningrad lasted 872 days, during which about 1 million people died or starved to death. On average, about 48 people died every hour in Leningrad. While the symphony orchestra was playing Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony, more than 80 people died from bombing and starvation in Leningrad. Remember this.

Young conductor, thats rare... Quite refreshing...

The conductor looks like young Yves Saint Laurent and young Shostakovich combined.

I have not been this stunned by a conductor and an orchestra in close to 50 years. The Leningrad is an extremely difficult piece to maintain all its lines and not let it sag in the middle. Neither young Mäkelä nor the orchestra missed a turn. What can I say? I can't. I was hypnotized. The string playing was spectacular, but so were the winds, brass, and percussion. I'll remember this performance of the Leningrad Symphony for a long, long time! Bravi tutti!!

Hello there! My grandmother told me that she saw Mr. Shostakovich when she was walking not far away from Leningrad Academic Philharmonic (now St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonic) but she was embarrassed to ask for an autograph. So, I think there were really good and blessed people in Leningrad in 20th century. Thank you Mr. Klaus for this performance of the greatest starving Leningrad symphony! I enjoyed it.

I was gonna comment "why is the conducter so attractive", then I realised he looks just like Shostakovich so now I understand lol

This conductor will save classical music in future. He is not only genius but goes straight into the heart of music. Makela's expressions are abundant, dimensional, clearly and colorfully detailed, and truthful indeed. I heard seldom this magnificent Russian sounds from refined European Orchestras. Makela, merely 23 years old, already tried... some of his goal of sounds. I am thrilled for his future.

I'm here on Mäkelä's birthday in 2024 to celebrate his brilliance with this beautiful recording!! I have seen it already a couple of times but it's still super exciting to watch! Thank you, Klaus Mäkelä, and thanks to all the great musicians in the hr-Sinfonie Orchester, greetings from the Rheingau!

First Movement - 0:00:30 Second Movement - 0:29:15 Third Movement - 0:40:55 Fourth Movement - 1:01:11

Not only is he one of the most talented young conductors, he is a very good cellist and super nice person!

I love how everyone saves their coughing for the breaks like GOOD AUDIENCE MEMBERS. respect

My grandmother stayed in Leningrad throughout the blockade, working. She buried two sisters. One died of starvation, the other burned down when a bomb hit the house. And my grandfather defended Leningrad on Nevsky pyatachke. He died in Konigsberg in 45 in April. A month did not live to win. Another grandfather returned with a shell fragment in his leg, the fragment was before his death in 1994.... Thank you to everyone who defended my hometown!

Klaus Mäkelä is Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra Born: 17 January 1996 (age 25 years), Helsinki, Finland [so 23 for this recording] Damn that's impressive.

This symphony was written in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) during the blockade in World War II. Shostakovich held the blockade for 4 months and arranged concerts to support the residents of the city.

conductor: ssh pianissimo audience: oh, yes! my time has come! COUGH COUGH

こんな凄い演奏を聴いてると、大革命万歳、スターリン万々歳なんて気分になりそうですね。　僕は僕でこの演奏を聴きながら、悠然と指揮の真似事を行いながら悦に浸ってます。

Pure soul and culture of the slavic people expressed through music. Noting the diversity here - Russian music, German orchestra, Finnish conductor. Beautiful.

17:16 That little precious smirk by the percussionist made my day 🥺

the conductor has a really well-fitting suit

After watching this 20 times, I still get goosebumps and chills. I thank God that Klaus Makela did this. What a joy.

Many thanks for this beautiful and strong music 🙏 Listening really helps me now in Kyiv. W is coming and going, but music is eternal… Thank you💙💛

the videographer deserves a raise

OK, lets all take a deep breath and let the comparisons of Mr. Makela's appearance to Shostakovich and his youth slip away so that we can realize that this is a remarkable performance by a young, highly gifted conductor and a world class orchestra in a great hall with extremely capable video and audio capture. This might very well be my favorite version of this complicated and misunderstood piece.

Сложнейшая вещь,колосальный труд СПАСИБО...вечная память композитору и оркестру в блокаде.

I live in St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad).I am proud that I was born in Russia, in St. Petersburg!This is my favorite city in Russia. I am grateful to all Soviet soldiers, as well as allies from the USA, Great Britain and other countries for helping us defeat the nazis. This music symbolizes the victory of honor, nobility and goodness over evil and nazism. At the moment 7:58, I hear the steady beat of the metronome, signifying that the city is still alive and I see how in a seemingly dead, dilapidated, snow-covered city, people are still alive and still not discouraged. When I imagine a picture of how the nazis, who think that the city and people were dying, watch with horror as the most powerful music flies over the dilapidated city, personifying the great spirit of all kind, honest and brave people, and realize that the city is still alive, and that the nazis have already lost in disgrace and justice and good have triumphed, I am overwhelmed with a sense of pride and exultation for Shostakovich, the Leningraders, my city and all the brave, honest and kind people from all over the world with a huge soul, willpower and heart.

Ленинград - символ человеческого духа и воли.... Великая музыка....

Великолепное исполнение.Дирижер большой мастер. Тема войны великого народа и победы отражена в симфонии Шостаковича сочно.прекрасно. Браво дирижеру и оркестру.Бывший дирижер .

This conductor looks so into what he's doing, I can't stop watching, and, apparently, not only me :D

На российском телевидении сегодня показывают фильм о первом исполнении этой симфонии в блокадном Ленинграде,..потрясающий фильм... столько боли и мужества.

the conductor looks like he's part of the Kingsman

Was the conductor cosplaying

The first movement is such a masterpiece. And this interpretation is just so perfect, it’s stunning. I like Mäkelä‘s tempo during the „invasion march“ much better than Gergiev‘s fast pace.

I went to Leningrad in 1984, and this was played in the huge cemetery that tourists were taken to....it was very moving, unforgettable, in fact.

How do people not cry playing or listening to this? I won't stand a second before sobbing. It's so overwhelming to think what this meant to millions and still does. ❤️❤️ much love and peace

Brilliant, brilliant music composed by the great Shostakovich. The struggle of the brave people of Leningrad in 1941 against the forces of fascism is superbly and enthrallingly encapsulated in this stirring and dramatic music. Shostakovich was a citizen of Leningrad so this is one of the most personal of his works. Superb performance by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Прекрасное исполнение этой великой музыки, спасибо от жительницы блокадного города!

Yes, I know he is a Shostakovich look alike, and the orchestra is so powerful. The young conductor's energy and style is grasping. Bravo, Klaus Mäkelä and Leningrad Symphony! On the Leningrad website, not listed, so I assume one time guest conductor. Bravo! (Videography is superb, too; and I love how they kept the entire applause, credits, and flowers on video for us to see.)

People think young people don’t appreciate this kind of music but I’m 18 and I just love it. Classic Music will be always special and magic.

Господи! какой великий компоzитор.В одном ряду с гигантами музыки.Я блокадник и благодарю его от всей глубины моей моей души.

La cosa pazzesca è che il Direttore assomigli a Shostakovic

Dude is 25 😔 while the rest of us achieve mere mediocrity, dude is conducting one of the world’s best orchestras and world’s most amazing symphonies and absolutely killing it. How could I have done more with my life?!

This kid is a *brilliant* conductor. Incredible precision and clarity - although that may be in part thanks to the Frankfurt auditorium and technical expertise, as someone has pointed out - yet great sensitivity and POWER. Some of his mannerisms are almost Austin Powers but are actually very enjoyably expressive and directive. *He* obviously *enjoys* directing this long, demanding piece, and the orchestra clearly *likes* him and is with him and playing for him, and they are indeed making BEAUTIFUL music together and the best performance of the 7th I have yet heard. GREAT performance! :-)

I love this piece for so many reasons. You must know the history behind the composition to understand it. Then, being a former professional clarinetist, the E flat clarinet solo is fearless! And the piccolo playing is magnificent. Among many other things, you must give props to the guys who played the same rhythm on the snare drum in the first movement for about 10 minutes straight. Who else can produce a 10 minute crescendo??? Amazing job.

Какая сила! И музыканты и дирижер и неравнодушные зрители! История Ленинграда и в их сердцах.

Le chef d'orchestre n'a que 23 ans lors de cette performance : chapeau !!! Car performance il y a !

Nice conducted by Mr. Harry ShostaPotter. Nice conducted, indeed!

I love the Frankfurt Radio Symphony's recordings - the sound quality is excellent and the filming of these concerts is also impeccable; you really get some very interesting, sharp images (such as the overhead shots of the pianist at 12:55 to focus our attention on what to be listening out for), and the transitions between wide shots and closeups on the conductor are terrific. They make watching a classical concert even more engaging than it would otherwise have been in real life, and their selection of music is always bombastic and dynamic, making for some great musical discoveries

Такие вещи, как этот концерт, хоть как-то оправдывают существование человечества.

January 27 was 80 years since the siege of Leningrad was lifted. Shestokovich wrote this symphony in besieged Leningrad. The music conveyed all the pain and horrors of that time.

You know that your Symphony is worth something when you have Scott Joplin and Claude Debussy on flute

Klaus Makela... let's write down this name. His future is inmense.

I have been listening to so many orchestras and conductors play this work for almost 40 years and finally I heard a real Shostakovich. Mäkelä is a magician like there has never been one before. I can't stop listening to his version.

Grandios..... Und natürlich der Dirigent.... Perfekt und ergreifend... Eines meiner Lieblingswerke❤

Given the history of this symphony and the conditions under which it was first performed, I find it heartwarming that it is being played here by a fine German orchestra, conducted by a young Finn. Superb job all around!

He is meditating, he is praying, u can see he is obsessed with music and it has actually grown into him and infiltrated all his senses. This concert is the definition of perfection...

Impressive!, how wonderful!, without words, pure excellence!!!. I think that after this performance the great genius of Shostakovich must be very happy up there.

Брависсимо!!!!! Гениальный Шостакович, гениальное исполнение....спасибо дирижеру и оркестру!!! Браво...

This piece is so full of power and life affirming energy. The story of Leningrad during the blockade is a true symbol for the will of the human spirit to endure in spite of suffering and desperation. So many moments of terror and desolation are met with moments of optimism and hope, and in the end there is true triumph and victory. I myself have been suffering with chronic illness for years. I find myself returning to this song to summon the will of the people Leningrad, who survived their most desperate hour after suffering for so long. Like Shostakovich's 7th, I feel I am stuck in a long and wondering middle section... a bit of a wasteland in my body and my soul. Though I still am so full of hope and optimism. Still so full of life despite these circumstances and I truly look forward to my moment of victory, just as Shostakovich's 4th movement ends with triumphant victory for the people of Leningrad and for all of the USSR.

잘생긴 지휘자 보고 들어왔다가 .. 음악듣고 더 놀랜 한국인 1인 ... 알고리즘 고마워

Ich sitze unendlich fasziniert von der Komposition, der Orchesterinterpretation und dem Dirigenten vor dem Bildschirm und kann es nicht fassen, dass ich dieses Wunderwerk der Musik noch nie gehört habe. Ich dürfte die einzige mit klassischer Musik aufgewachsene Russin meines Alters sein, die das Werk erst 2022 für sich entdeckte.

'A star is born; Klaus Mäkelä & Shostakovich is a dreamteam... excellent performance of a brilliant piece

16:27 to 18:26 is my favorite bit of music written by Shostakovich.

This composition is for everyone who fights for freedom.

A work of art

If you have any doubt who's suffered the most and made the greatest sacrifice, look no further than the people of Leningrad. Thank you, you blessed people who endured 900 days of abject Hell....

That bassoon solo at 22:20 always break my heart. Really impresive performance, great conducting and playing.

I could watch this Conductor all day, he's so expressive and interactive with the orchestra its really fun to watch

This piece, and especially end, has been known to make the hairs on my neck stand up in awe. Can't believe it's been over 45 years, and still this piece has the same grip it had way back in the 1980's. Seriously, that was one epic transition from cool calm and innocent, to the most absolute "what the hell is going on here!" moment , as the drums exploded. But we were offered many fair warnings, as things slowly wound up to this amazing crescendo of energy, resolve, and hope.

Большое спасибо Симфоническому Оркестру Фракуртского Радио за исполнение Лениградской симфонии Шостаковича.