John Smyth wrote to ask about:

>Your very short list of CDs that are "perfect" in every way--
>interpretation, orchestral/vocal execution and, if you want, recording
>quality.

amongst which he included:

>Schoenberg--"Gurrelieder"  Chailly/RSO London
>Strauss--"Elektra"  Sinopoli/Vienna DG

I would agree myself with those two.  I might add the following:

Missa Solemnis -- Herreweghe/Orchestre des Champs Elysees (appropriately
   enough)/Harmonia Mundi France
Bruckner Symphony 9 -- Schuricht/VPO/EMI
Beethoven Symphony No 4 -- Kleiber/Bayerisches Staatsorchester/Orfeo
Dvorak, RUSALKA -- Mackerras/CPO/London
Berlioz, Les Nuits d'Ete -- Herreweghe/Champs Elysees/Brigitte Baileys
Mahler, Symphony No 4 -- both Kletzki/Loose/Philharmonia/Royal Classics
  and Haitink/McNair/BPO/Philips
Mahler, Symphony No 5 -- Chailly/RCO/London
Verdi, AIDA -- Muti/New Philharmonia/EMI
Rossini, IL VIAGGIO A REIMS -- Abbado/Chamber Orch of Europe/DG
Faure, Requiem -- Herreweghe/Ensemble Musique Oblique/Harmonia Mundi
Mozart, Divertimento, K. 563 -- Kremer/Kashkashian/Ma/SONY
Schumann, Liederkreis, Op.24 -- Bostridge/Drake/EMI
Faure, Piano Quintets -- Domus/Hyperion

Happy listening,
Bill Drewett
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