I would not want to restrict myself to any one conductor for this great
cycle. I would build a collection based on performance per symphony and
would go for:
1. Furtwangler/VPO (live NOT STUDIO) 1951
2. Wand/NDRSO
3. Furtwangler/BPO 1950
4. Unsure
5 Furtwangler/BPO Live 1942
6. Bohm/VPO DG
7. Furtwangler/BPO 1943 Live (again!)
8. Swallish/RCOA live EMI
9. Furtwangler/BFO 1951 (again! again!) EMI
Having said that, I seem to have gone pretty much for one conductor ...
Let's face it, in Beethoven Furtwangler blows Karajan (who so many people
recommend) right out of the water.
David H.
Nottingham, UK