Rostropovich was in Boston to perform this dark and enigmatic work with Seiji Ozawa and the Boston Symphony in August of 1975 when news came of Shostakovich"s death. This recording was made at that time. The great cellist and friend of the composer was moved by the occasion to give an intensely expressive reading of the solo part. The sound could hardly be better. Also included are Tchaikovsky"s Andante cantabile, arranged for cello and orchestra, and Glazunov"s Chant du menestrel, op. 71.