Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 [Hybrid SACD] [Hybrid SACD - DSD, Import]

Dmitry Shostakovich (Composer), Mstislav Rostropovich (Conductor), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Mstislav Rostropovich
• Composer: Dmitry Shostakovich
• Audio CD (May 10, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD, Import
• Label: Lso Live UK
• ASIN: B0006SUX6M
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,418 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a gorgeous, powerful performance, July 5, 2006

By 

R. Hutchinson "autonomeus" (a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)

This is the third recording Mstislav Rostropovich has made of Shostakovich's 5th Symphony, and of the three it is the most beautiful. The LSO's musicians are superb, and Rostropovich, who knew Shostakovich and knows what the symphony is about, leads them in one of the best performances available. Why then only 4 stars? The problem is, Rostropovich is competing against himself. His first recording with his National Symphony Orchestra of Washington D.C. in 1983 is the most powerful recording of the many I have heard (see my review). It is not beautiful, but given the nature and subject of the work, beautiful is not the most important attribute -- what it has is relentless momentum and streamlined power. It is the most complete realization of Shostakovich's vision of the 5th. That DG disc was out of print for years, but has recently been available as a German import -- track it down, it's out there!

This live recording from July 2004 takes its place as one of the finest, along with Mravinsky, Haitink and Gergiev (see my reviews). If you have not heard the 5th, or if you are collecting superior versions, do not hesitate! Of the other Rostropovich/LSO Live recordings, the 11th is superb (see my review), and the 8th is not (see my review).

See my SHOSTAKOVICH: A CENTENARY LISTENER'S GUIDE for more on the great Dmitri Shostakovich