Customer Reviews

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 [Hybrid SACD]

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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