Pianist Alexander Melnikov has recorded Shostakovich' 24 Preludes and Fugues and received a Choc l'annee 2010 for this outstanding achievement. Watch the video Melnikov & Shostakovich.

Fiona Maddocks in the Observer writes:

This cycle, written in 1950-51, occupies an indefinable place in Shostakovich's output: is he paying tribute only to Bach's "48", his acknowledged inspiration, or are these works a coded mirror to Shostakovich's entire compositional output? You can detect hymn-like solemnity, minimalist toccatas and formalist fugues, tonality and atonality, musical self-reference, as well as nods towards folk and klezmer. He wrote the set for Tatiana Nikolayeva. Other pianists since have been reluctant to attempt the marathon - lasting more than two hours. In this muscular, virile account, fellow Russian Alexander Melnikov makes you wonder why these works are considered monotonous or didactic. In his virtuosic hands, each one glints.