Bertini's EMI set is in my own opinion, the single best complete set of the symphonies out there. It has Das Lied and a 10th. But oddly, there isn't a single recording in his set that I would ever call the best-ever version, and maybe not even in the top 5. But as a whole, it's a great set - and having recorded some of them live is a real plus. The sound isn't up to modern standards, but excellent overall. And you're right - he isn't as over-the-top as Bernstein, is much more respectful of the score. And doesn't hold back like Boulez does from time to time. He isn't as clinical as a lot of people put it. The only fault is that he didn't see fit to do some version of the whole 10th. Oh well. There are some really negative Amazon reviews. Plodding? I don't think so.
Topic: Gary Bertini - the perfect cross of Boulez and Bernstein (Read 6909 times)