I was there, this was my first live M8, so I can't really compare it to anything objectively. I loved finally hearing the symphony live where you can hear and FEEL the organ! And the miracle of having all those massed voices enter at a whisper. It was a full house. The Boston Globe gave it a very favorable review. I'd say the only nitpick I had was that there was an intermission between Part I and II. (The Boston Globe said that apparently Levine did this in the last BSO performance from 2005, I believe). Really broke the spell - but given that this was primarily a youth orchestra, maybe it really was necessary. If it made for a better Part II after the rest - fine. All in all, it was well worth the 4 hour drive each way for me.