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Background

• Composed between April and July 1937.
• First performed on 21 November 1937 in Leningrad by the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra under Yevgeny Mravinsky.
• Well-received by Soviet official critics, after Shostakovich was severely attacked for his opera Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District.

Recordings

• Symphonies
  WDR Sinfonieorchester
  Rudolf Barshai · Brilliant Classics
  Radio 3 Building a Library (2008): Budget Choice

• Symphony No. 5, Op. 47
  The New York Philharmonic
  Leonard Bernstein · Sony

• Symphony No. 5, Adagio (Barber)
  Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
  Manfred Honeck · Reference Recordings
  Grammy Awards (2017): Best Engineered Album, Classical
  Grammy Awards (2017): Best Orchestral Performance

• Symphonies 4, 5 & 6
  Oslo Philharmonic
  Klaus Mäkelä · DECCA
  Gramophone Magazine (2024)
  Presto Recording of the Week (2024).
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2024).
  International Classical Music Awards (2025): Nominated Symphonic Music.

• Under Stalin's Shadow: Symphonies Nos. 5, 8, 9
  Boston Symphony Orchestra
  Andris Nelsons · Deutsche Grammophon
  Grammy Awards (2016): Best Orchestral Performance
  Gramophone Magazine (2016): Editor’s Choice.
  Presto Recording of the Week(2016).
  Presto Recordings of the Year (2016): Finalist.
  ECHO Klassik Awards (2017): Winner.
  Gramophone Awards (2016): Shortlisted Orchestral.
  
  
• Symphonies Nos 1–15
  London Symphony Orchestra
  Gianandrea Noseda · LSO Live
  The Times (2025): Best Classical Box Sets Christmas

• Symphonies Nos. 5 & 9
  Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
  Vasily Petrenko · NAXOS
  Gramophone Magazine (2009): Editor's Choice

• Symphony No. 2 ‘To October’ ; Symphony No. 5.
  BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
  John Storgards.
  Chandos.

• The Symphonies
  BBC National Orchestra of Wales
  Mark Wigglesworth · BIS

About Coram Deo

Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.