Peter Goldstein wrote:

>I'm starting to get into Shostakovich, and I wondered if anyone had any
>insights on the relative merits of the various recorded symphony cycles:
>Haitink, Kondrashin, Rostropovich, and anyone else you know of.  Thanks
>very much!

I am fond of the Rostropovich for its drama and the conductor's personal
and long connection with the composer.  You shouldn't miss out, however,
on Leonard Bernstein's famous fifties-vintage recording of Number 5.

Kevin Sutton