“A superb performance with excellent sound makes this a benchmark recording and my top CD choice of the year. Shostakovich fans ignore this release at their peril !” (MusicWeb) “A searing new live account by Rostropovich, well-recorded and unmissable – (he) has something unique to say about this work, transcending any doubts about his conducting … the finale is articulated with tremendous cut and thrust, the sheer heft of the strings mightily impressive … the brass project powerfully as they do in real life, the woodwind audibly composed of individual stylists, the strings sound virile. It’s all here … Play loud or not at all.” (Gramophone)
