In listing his preferred performances, Jim Saunders writes: >The new Solti has gotten some good reviews, but left me a little cold. >Maybe the recording isn't detailed or "close" enough. I haven't heard >the Herreweghe. I have the Solti, among others, and in this performance I hear an older, more serene Solti at work; with the Berlin Philharmonic and a solid soloists, it holds up very well. I also have two from the Concertgebouw--the Bernstein live performance, mentioned earlier and criticized for its moments of ponderousness and italicizing, plus an earlier studio recording from Jochum, which holds together very well in terms of tempi and drama...like Solti, there's a knowing and experienced hand at the wheel; only the close-up miking of the soloists is a distraction for me. Also from Phillips is a set from Davis and the London Symphony, now available in a Duo box with the Mass in C. As with most of Davis' choral work, everything is clean and clear, moving along at a brisk pace. For me, it lacks the extra measure of gravity that marks Jochum's work (and runs to excess at times with Bernstein). Unfortunately, the favorite out of my collection may be tougher to find on its own--the Szell/Cleveland broadcast contained as part of the Orchestra's boxed set on the Szell years. This performance conveys complete mastery of the score while evoking the tension and excitement of a live and unedited performance. Like the Mahler 9th in the same box, there's a sense of occasion, along with an intensity and focus that often aren't often maintained in studio sessions. Despite the only-adequate stereo sonics, these Szell discs leave me moved every time I play them. Dick Claeys [log in to unmask]