Both issues offer distringuished performances by two of the world's great orchestras under conductors of stature. The playing of the VPO under Abbado is altogether exhilarating and sparkles like a good champagne, while that of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra for Masur captivates by its warmth and charm. The orchestrations differ in four instances: in Nos. 5 and 6 Masur opts for Albert Parlow's transcriptions in preference to those of Martin Schmeling favoured by Abbado, and in Nos. 7 and 8 for Schollum rather than Hans Gal. The DG recording has the brighter top while the Philips has the greater spaciousness, and I should add that the CDs offer keener definition than the LP or cassette formats.
Both, then, can be recommended and I find the VPO and the Gewandhaus Orchestra on top form. To be frank I would be happy with either but if my local dealer stocked both and I was pressed to choose, perhaps the greater warmth and naturalness of the Philips would sway me in its favour. Both Abbado and Masur have charm but I prefer the more relaxed smile of the latter.'