Dmitri Shostakovich is well-known for his symphonies and chamber music; also for the popular suites and, to some extent, his film scores. Largely unknown, however, are his orchestral songs, of which only the cycle From Jewish Folk Poetry, Op. 79 has gained some wider popularity. These little-known gems are brought together here in authoritative interpretations under Michail Jurowski and the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne, an ensemble that developed a rich Shostakovich tradition under conductors Semyon Bychkov and Rudolf Barshai. The substantial set of works on the programme includes the Six Romances on words by Japanese poets Op. 21 for tenor and orchestra and the Suite on Verses by Michelangelo Buonarroti Op. 145a for bass and orchestra.