Ray Bayles wrote:

>The now very old recording of the Shostakovich 5th conducted by Howard
>Hansen is my favorite...  difficult to find now though.  It is a great
>introduction to Shostakovich.

Do you mean Howard Mitchell? If so, I would second that recommendation.
Mitchell has not been held in high regard in many circles, but I find some
of his recordings outstanding.  He did a wonderful Suite No.2 from Daphnis
which was issued on a disc issued in conjunction with a meeting of some
architects association!

Karl