This record is almost like an answer to Rostropovich’s recording of the same concertos. They represent an American take on these 20th century works. Also, Kabalevsky (1948) followed Party line by creating a relatively simple and direct composition. It had to be accessible for the people. Shostakovich wrote his first cello concerto in 1959, and didn’t follow the Party’s edicts. His work is far more personal and cynical. He mocks the Party.
I wrote earlier about Kabalevsky’s violin concerto, an equally bright and cheerful work, written during the same time. In February 1948, Andrei Zhdanov issued a decreee that condemned music that was too modern or western. As a result Shostakovich lost all his positions and had to do film music and children’s pieces. It helped Kabalevsky’s career to no end: he was thriving.