Symphony No.13 'Babi Yar', Op.113 cover

Released 40 years ago

Symphony No.13 'Babi Yar', Op.113

Dmitri Shostakovich · 1986

64 min · 5 tracks · opera

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Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

94 /100
Summit
Higher than 100% of albums we've rated

Its five-movement vocal design sets stark public declamation against satire and quieter reflection, giving the symphony a strong arc and substantial return value.

What we noticed

  • A bass soloist and male chorus carry all five movements; the opening sets the text in stark, weighty declamation over low orchestral sonorities.
  • The second movement shifts to a brisk, sardonic allegretto, while the third and fourth return to slower, more restrained settings.
  • The finale turns back to allegretto, closing the sequence of five Yevtushenko poems without adding a separate instrumental coda.
Composition 25% of the score
9/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
9/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 8/10

Defined its genre or moment. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Symphony no. 13, op. 113 "Babi Yar": I. Adagio: Babi Yar 17:16
  • 2 Symphony no. 13, op. 113 "Babi Yar": II. Allegretto: Humour 8:24
  • 3 Symphony no. 13, op. 113 "Babi Yar": III. Adagio: In the store 13:06
  • 4 Symphony no. 13, op. 113 "Babi Yar": IV. Largo: Fears 12:22
  • 5 Symphony no. 13, op. 113 "Babi Yar": V. Allegretto: A career 13:23

What to play next

Symphony no. 1 in F, op. 10 / Symphony no. 6 in B minor, op. 54
Listen next

Symphony no. 1 in F, op. 10 / Symphony no. 6 in B minor, op. 54

1986
Piano Quintet in G Minor / String Quartets nos. 7 & 8
Go back to

Piano Quintet in G Minor / String Quartets nos. 7 & 8

1986
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Reference: MusicBrainz