"probably the most significant Russian symphony between Tchaikovsky's Pathétique (1893) and the Fourth Symphony of Shostakovich (premiered 1961)” (MusicWeb)

“But it was No.6 which was to be hailed as the first Soviet symphony, not least for the May Day celebrations 1969 Revolutionary songs (French in origin) used in the finale. This is a splendidly fiery, memorable and ultimately moving work, which deserves a big-occasion performance ... By far the best of the three available recordings is (this) classic USSR SO/Kondrashin (ex Russian Disc)”