“Then came a Second Symphony, simpler in mood and written with deep patriotism in the middle of the war. It is also excellently composed, and genuinely symphonic despite its fashioning from film music … so much passion and conviction in this performance, by a conductor who has clearly taken great trouble to convey his belief in it.” (Gramophone) “Shostakovich admired his music which is finely paced, expertly constructed and brilliantly scored” (Penguin Guide)