Mikael Rasmusson:

>I've compared #1,2,4-6 and 9 with other recordings and live performances.
>Previn is always as good and usually better than those.  I haven't heard
>Boult's or Haitink's recordings.  The best live performance I've heard was
>when Hickox conducted #2 in Sydney back in 1996.  The worst: Jarvi #5 and
>6.

I might as well list my preferences:

1 "Sea" - Boult (either recording)
2 "London" - Boult, Barbirolli
3 "Pastoral" - Boult
4 - Vaughan Williams, Mitropoulos, Bernstein
5 - Barbirolli, Previn (haven't yet heard Hickox, but it's on my list)
6 - Previn, Boult
7 - Boult
8 - Boult
9 - Boult (only recording I've heard)

Steve Schwartz