@absalom
That’s a really interesting way of looking at it. I have a documentary featuring the SF Symphony all about Shostakovich’s 5th. It’s definitely one of the best. My personal favorite is the 4th and it’s so sad that the 4th wasn’t performed until 25 years after it was written because of all the Stalinist suppression. The 4th also requires the largest orchestra and has the most haunting ending in my opinion. Also, the 12th, sometimes regarded as his worst symphony, is one that I’ve been getting into a lot more lately; underrated, definitely. :)