Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 & Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture

In recent years the Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg has made an impact with its recordings for Warner Classics and Erato: of major works by Berlioz and Janáček, and of a wealth of shorter showpieces captured in Dolby Atmos immersive sound for digital playlists.

Now the Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg performs two of Tchaikovsky’s best-loved masterpieces, the Fate-driven Symphony No 5 and the surgingly passionate tone poem Romeo and Juliet.

The conductor is Aziz Shokhakimov, Music Director of the Alsatian orchestra, noted for his dynamism and his ability to shed new light on even familiar scores. A native of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and winner in 2016 of the prestigious Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award, he assumed his role in Strasbourg 2021 – at the age of just 32. The extension of his contract to 2026 was announced in late 2022.

“My constant concern is for this orchestra to have a distinctive, readily identifiable sound,” says Shokhamimov, “and for this sound to be of the highest quality. Thanks to all its splendid musicians, that is achievable. The work we do together is very productive, and I always sense a powerful chemistry with this orchestra, which I first encountered in 2014. I fell in love with it immediately.”