Recommendation for Beethoven's 9th?

[roadbuzz]

Need a CD, can anyone recommend a particularly good performance/rendition? Thanx.

[Bockman]

Wikipedia says:

Bernard Haitink conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. Recorded in April 2006 as part of the complete Beethoven symphony cycle on SONY Music. These recordings are noted for the orchestra's flawless performances. Bernard Haitink's Beethoven Symphony cycle has been nominated for Best Classical Album at the 2007 Grammy Awards.

[roadbuzz]

Looks like an excellent choice. Thanx.

[Wil Davis]

I'm not too impressed by the modern interpretations - too bombastic and overpowering. I tend to prefer the period instrument performances such as:

Roger Norrington & The London Classical Players (EMI CDS7 49852 2)

Christopher Hogwood & The Academy of Ancient Music (L'Oiseau Lyre 425 517-2)

One of my favourite versions is the Franz Liszt piano transcription performed by Cyprien Katsaris (Teldec 8.42956ZK). The piece is a tour de force, and is very difficult to play; so much so, that Liszt wrote another (easier) version for two pianos.

- Wil

[zowie]

Solti. The one from 70s, not the digital one from the 80s.

[slvoid]

It depends, flawless can be way too analytical, dry, lifeless. Sometimes you almost want them to go off a little bit if it means giving life to the music.

[Dewaine]

Gardiner. The best set overall, too. If you love Beethoven more than you love "conducting styles":

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-Gardiner-Ludwig-van/dp/customer-reviews/B0000057EO

[the royal 'we']

I only deal with vinyl, but if the RCA Red Seal and Telarc CD releases are as good as the vinyl counterparts, either of those would be a good bet.

Edit: *I haven't checked to see if Beethoven's 9th has a CD release on either of those labels, but I assume it would, popular as it is...