One of the mightiest of American ensembles, the Boston Symphony will likely appear throughout a collector’s shelves, spanning decades. But few projects have been as ambitious – and encompassing – as their complete survey of Shostakovich’s symphonies and concertos (plus his opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk). Even on paper it’s a huge endeavour: all 15 symphonies, the concertos for piano, violin and cello featuring such star soloists as Yuja Wang, Baiba Skride and Yo-Yo Ma, the opera, and all now available as a box-set from Deutsche Grammophon. Symphony No 10 was Recording of the Month in August 2015, winning the Orchestral category the following year at the Gramophone Awards. But we’re focused on more recent times, and the partnership with Yuja Wang was an Editor’s Choice in June, demonstrating this team’s textural prowess: ‘Andris Nelsons shapes climaxes that are full-bodied yet crystal-clear in every orchestral strand. The gorgeous Andante is a model of suppleness, elegance and flexibility on everyone’s part,’ wrote Jed Distler. Reflecting on the whole set meanwhile, Rob Cowan wrote ‘it’s a cycle that honours the music as music’. An impressive achievement, in Shostakovich's anniversary year.

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