Search - Shostakovich, Rostropovich, Lso :: Symphony 15

Best possible recording of best possible symphony

Justin Weaver | 05/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Introverted, misshapen, quiet, slow, bizarre -- amazing! Shostakovich's final symphony takes some warming up to, but manifests itself as one of the most deeply thought, emotionally artless and directly expressive 'moments' in musical history. Rostropovich's virtually flawless performance should bring recognition to this little known and underappreciated autumnal work. From the opening strike of the glockenspiel to the rat-scurry of winds and strings in the 3rd movement to the final pedal point over which a peppering of xylophone and toms casts a mysterious shadow, this symphony exists in its own head-of-the-pin world... sometimes after listening, I feel somehow musically cleansed, as if all other repertoire has been rendered irrelevent. If you're looking to take a chance on a 'random' buy, get this symphony, put in on (with headphones if there's even a chance of aural distraction), give it your full concentration and you'll thank me!"

A Masterpiece

Daniel Unger | California | 02/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This final symphony by one of the 20th century's true geniuses is filled with one revelation after another. The work is shattering in best sense of the word. At its close I could hardly move. I doubt there is any finer interpreter of Shostakovich's music than Rostropovich as he truly finds the essence of this music. I've been fortunate enough to hear him conduct many of the symphonies live and each time I'm amazed at the brilliance. This is a work that everyone who loves this composer should treasure."