Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 (Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, William Steinberg conducting; Musicraft, 16 sides). Shostakovich's repetitive and bombastic tribute to wartime Leningrad gets its first U.S. recording. Performance: fair.
Bach: Mass in B Minor (RCA Victor Chorale and Orchestra, Robert Shaw conducting; Victor, 34 sides). For those who have waited patiently for Victor to replace its old, scratchy set of this momentous work, this one makes the wait worthwhile. Performance: excellent.
Bernstein: Facsimile (RCA Victor Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein conducting; Victor, 4 sides). First recording of the music of last year's hit ballet. Few would quarrel with Lenny Bernstein's own analysis of it: "Neurotic music."...
