SYMPHONIC ETC.
Dmitri Shostakovich: Fifth Symphony (Cleveland Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski conducting; Columbia; 10 sides). Most popular of Fire Warden Shostakovich's big, embattled symphonies, the Fifth has already been recorded by Stokowski and the Philadelphians for Victor. The Clevelanders do a brilliant job, but Stokowski's recording is still tops.
Debussy: Iberia (Pittsburgh Symphony, Fritz Reiner conducting; Columbia; 6 sides). Debussy's moon-drenched impressionist landscape of Spain (one (of his finest orchestral works) has yet to get an ideal recording. The Pittsburghers lack the New York Philharmonic's (Barbirolli; Victor) finish, but Conductor Reiner paints Debussy's highlights...
