The ending is breathtaking
02/23/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I got this CD today (my 5th version of this symphony. All the way through I realized this was very well played and very well recorded. One of the very best- not sure which one is, but this is right up there. But the final pounding drums took my breath away. I was thinking, "this was just totally awesome." No chicken engineers here - how did they capture that sound? Then I played the 4th movement of Haitink, Previn (very weak ending), Ashkenazy, & M. Shostakovich. All are recommended and have various strong points, but for the ending, Skrowaczewski and the Halle BLOWS THEM ALL AWAY. This is visceral - this makes the lower lip tremble in awe (as it were.) This is the one I would keep if I could only keep one. One of the lowest priced also. A Shostakovich fan."