Donald Scarinci:

>If I were to listen to my first Shostakovich symphony, should it be the
>5th? I'm looking at the Shostakovich 5th conducted by Mstislav
>Rostropovich on Teldec.

It's a good place to start as I can say from my own experience.  Opinion
seems divided on whether the 8th or the 10th is the best of the bunch.
I haven't heard Rostropovich doing the 5th but have been quite taken with
several others from his cycle.  But Donald, I really must make the point
again - by insisting on DDD recordings, you are denying yourself some great
performances.

Richard Pennycuick
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