This live recording of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 13 “Babi Yar,” conducted by Gianandrea Noseda, captures a deeply emotional and politically charged masterpiece. Inspired by Yevgeny Yevtushenko’s groundbreaking poem about the Nazi massacre at Babi Yar—and expanded with verses on Soviet life, repression, and moral integrity—the symphony combines bass soloist, male chorus, and full orchestra to create a dramatic, humanist narrative. Shostakovich’s vocal symphony is both a protest against antisemitism and a portrait of individual and collective suffering. With commanding performances from Vitalij Kowaljow, the London Symphony Chorus, and the London Philharmonic Choir, this 2023 Barbican Hall performance is a profound testament to truth and conscience.