The great Polish-born conductor Artur Rodzinski (1892-1958) was one of the most charismatic transcontinental conductors during the twenty-five years from 1933 to 1958.
A brilliant pianist and conductor, he was Stokowski’s choice as assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Three years later, Rodzinski became chief conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and in 1933 chief conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra. Ten years later Rodzinski was appointed chief conductor of the New York Philharmonic, when this historically vital recording of Shostakovich’s monumental Eighth Symphony was made in 1944, not long after conductor and orchestra had given the US premiere of this war-time Soviet masterpiece. It is therefore a document of the highest significance, and this modern digital transfer marks the first time this performance has ever been issued on disc.

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