His performance of Shostakovich's Symphony No.1 attracted the composer's attention and led to the formation of a firm friendship.

In the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958, Kondrashin was the conductor for American pianist Van Cliburn, who won the first prize.

Following the competition, he toured the United States with Cliburn, being the first Soviet conductor to visit America since the beginning of the Cold War.

[2] He conducted several performances in Europe and America with other famous Russian musicians like Rostropovich, Oistrakh, and Richter.

[citation needed] He took the post of Permanent Guest Conductor of Amsterdam's Concertgebouw Orchestra in 1978 and remained in that position until his death.

On the recording of Shostakovich's sixth symphony Kondrashin can be heard tapping or even pounding his foot as he conducts the lively final movement.