Richard:

>IIRC, Ormandy's was the first recording of the 1st symphony outside
>of Russia.  My only experience of the symphony prior to that was a
>rather elderly Russian mono affair - I don't remember the conductor.
>By comparison, Ormandy's sounded wonderful.  Last time I played my LP (an
>Australian pressing), it still did.  Might have to order the CD anyway.

I believe the first recording was

Leningrad PO, Kurt Sanderling, cond.  Melodia D 05246/7 (issued in US as MK
1525) also issued later on Everest

As far as I know, the second recording was

Stockholm Radio SO; Jacques Rachmailovich, cond. Mercury MG 10111.

Karl