Petrenko seems very sure of his intentions with Shostakovich. These recordings will appeal to many listeners, and the orchestra is on the top of their game. His Sixth is excellent, a sure keeper; the 12th is too—with all its bombast and glory… © 2012 American Record Guide Read complete review on American Record Guide online

this work seems to have been calculated to please the Soviet government and to put the composer in its good graces…[Petrenko]…makes no apologies for this symphony. He does not impose an ex post facto interpretation upon it. He plays it cleanly and with the excitement of an amusement park ride that puts its riders in no danger, even if it makes their pulses race. In short, this is a very objective reading… © 2012 Fanfare Read complete review on Fanfare

Continúa Naxos con la integral de las sinfonías de Shostakovich que viene realizando el joven Vasily Petrenko. El concepto vertido en los trabajos que se han editado hasta ahora no varía un ápice en las interpretaciones de las dos sinfonías contenidas en el presente registro. Es decir, estamos ante un Shostakovich de buena factura, correctamente expuesto, y al que se ha despojado de cualquier elemento extramusical, lo cual es difícil en muchos casos, concretamente en la Duodécima (una de las obras aquí contenidas). Ahora bien, como ya he manifestado en otras ocasiones, no me parece un Shostakovich necesario, pues por esta senda ya han caminado otros antes que Petrenko bastante mejor que él y con mejores medios. En cualquier caso es de agradecer el aligeramiento que propone el director del entramado de estas obras, que tan excesivamente denso nos parece en otras ocasiones llegando a saturar. Hay unas cuantas “sextas” a tener en cuenta, la mejor de todas Bernstein (DG). Para la Duodécima Haitink (Decca) o Rostropovich (Teldec). © 2012 Ritmo

Petrenko here does not disappoint. He captures all the power and bleakness of the opening movement with a tempo that is slower than most. The playing of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is beyond reproach. Many consider the Twelfth to be Shostakovich’s weakest symphony, and I am not one to disagree with this opinion in general. Yet, I must say that Vasily Petrenko in this blistering account almost convinces me otherwise. I have listened to it several times and, though the ending is almost too bombastic to bear, Petrenko brings out all kinds of detail to make the work interesting… I know I will turn to Petrenko just to appreciate what he has done to make the symphony palatable. I won’t be tossing out my Haitink recording of these symphonies, but Petrenko’s accounts must now take pride of place. At budget price, this disc is unmissable. © 2012 MusicWeb International Read complete review

Both performances are outstanding with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic in top form—string articulation is quite remarkable… © 2012 ClassicalCDReview.com Read complete review

Petrenko and the Liverpudlians reach new heights of sonic beauty

Vasily Petrenko leads a first movement that beats just about everyone in terms of sheer excitement…

Through it all the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic plays splendidly, and is excellently recorded. This Shostakovich series is shaping up as one of the best, make no mistake. © ClassicsToday.com Read complete review