Pablo Massa wrote: >My father held once a rough discussion with some natives of Washington DC >concerning Washington National Symphony Orchestra. They were defenders of >Rostropovich, and my father said that Howard Mitchell was a much better >director. He recommended me highly his version of Shostakovitch 5th. I >haven't heard any Mitchell's recording, but I can assure that Shostakovitch >5th. by Rostropovich with WNSO is crap. Does anyone knows if that symphony >by Mitchell is available, and where?. Commentaries are welcome. Over the years I have heard stories that Mitchell was not much of a musician. If that is the case, the National Symphony at that time must not have needed a conductor. His Shostakovich 5th is still one of my favorite versions of the work. I also enjoy a broadcast performance of the 5th with Rostropovich and the BSO---word of the composer's death had been received moments before the conductor walked out on stage. It was a moving performance to say the least. There are several Mitchell recordings I enjoy. Another is a concert performance, issued on a disc for the American Institute of Architects. It featured the second suite from Daphnis and Chloe. Other things I have on tape include the Ginastera Piano Concerto No.1 and the Creston 5th. Mitchell also made a fine disc of the Creston 2nd and 3rd Symphonies. Karl