Tam

I don't suppose that the Szell Fourth will ever be surpassed.

I'd rather that the DG Bernstein CD set didn't have the songs. I don't think that they approach LB's readings of the symphonies in quality and, without checking, I think that each box could have been reduced by one CD. So more buyers, I think!

And the Berlin Ninth is, in my opinion, far superior to what he achieved in Amsterdam a decade on. Could they not have taken this into account?

Graham

Graham,

I take the point about the songs, though, being a Bernstein fanatic, I'm glad to have them.

I agree about the RCO ninth, and the BPO account, fascinating as it is would surely have been a better choice: I can't imagine that, priced as a double album (which I think is a little cheeky), they sell that many.

However, as I suggested above, I think the DVD VPO ninth is finer still. Then again, it's been a little while since I had a proper listen to the Berlin 9th, something for tomorrow perhaps.

I had high hopes for both the Abbado and Harding fourths, but neither came close. However, I think that if Mackerras were to record it with, say the Philharmonia and Urmana then that might just do it.

regards, Tam