Beethoven: Symphony No. 9

There are two Karl Böhm recordings of Beethoven's Ninth on Deutsche Grammophon, both with the Vienna Philharmonic. This is the later and lesser of the two, recorded just before the great conductor's death. It's terribly slow, and reflects all too well the depredations of old age. The earlier one, available as part of his complete Vienna Beethoven cycle at a "twofer" price, is one of the all time great versions of the symphony. Buy that one. --David Hurwitz