With all due respect I think that at least some of the American orchestra's
have to be factored in to your list starting with what used to be known
as the top five.  On the subject of the Concertgebouw, their presant
conductor, Chailly, is to my ears by far the weakest that this great
orchestra has had.  Try Mengelberg, in my opinion by far the strongest!

Peter Schenkman, Toronto, Canada