The fifth symphony recording I listened to first was on Deutsche Grammophon, and had Sinopoli conducting. I thought this an excellent introduction to what I came to think was a brilliant work.
I heard and saw Simon Rattle conduct this with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, 11 September 1997, at the Royal Albert Hall. Sadly, I didn't find it as gripping as the performance of Shostakovich's first violin concerto that had begun the concert.