***** 'Rostropovich captures the stark ambivalence of the music - its gut-wrenching menace on the one hand, and stark attractiveness on the other. The playing is top-notch, and quite terrifying at all the right moments.'

'In this towering performance by the LSO under [Rostropovich], Shostakovich comes across as a thoroughgoing modernist, agonised about the issues of the day, but pouring his angst into a huge, multifaceted work which flows with the heat of volcanic lava. One of the last remaining links with this titanic composer, the great cellist-conductor can lay rightful claim to being his outstanding living interpreter.'

'[Rostropovich’s] strength is in his ability to inspire players. There's nothing routine about this performance: Rostropovich generates a fierce intensity [and] the LSO's response is consistently impressive.'