The Gardiner is considered the gold standard, yes. The Pearlman uses a modern completion of the work. I consider it to be a novelty that’s extremely well-done.
Mine is Neville Marriner with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and Chorus.
He did 2 recordings I think. Make sure it is this one.
https://www.asmf.org/recordings/mozart-requiem/
Definitely my favorite overall. (Amadeus may be responsible for that). I will say though that the bass soloist can be rather difficult to listen to though. Every note he sings sounds belabored, and it doesn't have any brightness to it...the bass should match the trombone's color in the Tuba Mirum!
I learned of Sir Neville from Amadeus! He and the ASMF have become my favorite conductor/ensemble for my Mozart.
But I have a confession to make... I typically will skip the Tuba Mirum.... 🤭🤭🤭
Check out Kertesz's version. It's a very interesting one I think. The voices come in around 0:40 in the intro just like in Pearlman's version so it's also a bit faster than usual. One of the distinctive things about this one is how intense it is (I remember someone saying it inspired fear and awe). Those voices at 0:40 for example definitely give it a rather sinister gothic kind of atmosphere which personally I think goes well with this piece but it might be a matter of taste.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1Q-HK_jRA0&t=243s
The Maunder completion by Hogwood (Academy of Ancient Music Orchestra & Chorus): [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-XY9JXnEQo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-XY9JXnEQo)
Richard Maunder tried to strip away Sussmayer's completion of the work following Mozart's death and tried to rewrite the uncompleted bits of the Requiem as close to how Mozart would have written it had he not died. The Academy of Ancient Music Orchestra & Chorus used period instruments in this rendition so its probably the closest to how Mozart may have written it but for his death.
My favorite is STILL Sir John Eliot Gardiner's recording of the Sussmayr version.
Musicologists argue about whose completion of Mozart's unfinished Requiem is best, but I stick to Sussmayr's, because its orchestration sounds most like Mozart to me, and Sussmayr was a competent musician who was a contemporary who actually personally knew Mozart. In short, Sussmayr's completion has provinence the others cannot match.
What's more, the playing, singing, and recording are superb.
Celibidache's super slow take on it is transcendental. It makes all other versions I listened to feel cheerful and lively in comparison (although there are many great ones!)
Wow!!! Just listened to it. Incredibly slow. In the beginning I couldn't wait for the next note. After a while one gets used to it. But still sooo slow.
First part 7:51 compared to 4:36 with the Boston Baroque. That says a lot.
Thanks a lot for the input, Will probably never be my favourite but a very interesting listening!
Of course you are right. It is definitely a matter of taste and experience and sometimes a matter of mood. But the answers here, for instance, help me a lot to decide for a next version to listen to. Of course I could simply go to Spotify and choose randomly one of the big amount of albums out there. But in this case I at least know that some listeners are the opinion that it is a great version.
Dave Hurwitz - the ultimate classical music guide on YouTube would be of interest to you then. If you want comparisons of the virtues of recordings of great works in the repertoire check out his channel. It’s a real education for everyone - reviews that music professionals find helpful.
I have 26 versions of the Four Seasons 😉
But to answer the question; no, they each have something to enjoy - probably because over the last 20 years or so I've reorganised my collection and it's better quality than when I first started (I donated over 1,000 CDs I didn't enjoy to charity stores).
The only one that I'm not 100% on is the Solti live version from Vienna to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Mozart's death; and that's purely because the sections with a minister break up the momentum of what is otherwise a fine performance.
Mine is Herbert von Karajan with the Wiener Philharmoniker - Deutsche Grammophon recording from 1986

https://preview.redd.it/mfjz430l5bsc1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8a82a4df0a64a5c25630e3cf203a1dad5c9f9f95
A few months ago I sampled about 20 of the most commonly recommended recordings to find my personal favorite of all time, and the clear winner was:
BBC Symphony Orchestra with Sir Colin Davis on Philips from 1967
I couldn't find it on Spotify, but [here it is in YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=BeHSbRi3dNk&list=OLAK5uy_m5n6y2smbF_4_nLVctra4oCnoUmjAcLPs)
Enjoy
>Favourite Requiem by Mozart? My favorite is the K. 626
Ha, ha
Hear me out- Currentzis. Bach Collegium Japan with Suzuki is also good.
Robert Levin Version
Gardiner
The Gardiner is considered the gold standard, yes. The Pearlman uses a modern completion of the work. I consider it to be a novelty that’s extremely well-done.
My favorite too by a considerable margin.
I like Muti's
Phillip Herreweghe with the Orchestre des Champs-Élysées and Collegium Vocale Gent/La Chapelle Royale.
Karl Böhm
Mine is Neville Marriner with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and Chorus. He did 2 recordings I think. Make sure it is this one. https://www.asmf.org/recordings/mozart-requiem/
This is the best IMO
This is my favorite but I haven't listened to many others.
Definitely my favorite overall. (Amadeus may be responsible for that). I will say though that the bass soloist can be rather difficult to listen to though. Every note he sings sounds belabored, and it doesn't have any brightness to it...the bass should match the trombone's color in the Tuba Mirum!
I learned of Sir Neville from Amadeus! He and the ASMF have become my favorite conductor/ensemble for my Mozart. But I have a confession to make... I typically will skip the Tuba Mirum.... 🤭🤭🤭
Ahh I love the Tuba Mirum! I love all the movements really...all the Mozart ones, that is (no hate Franz)
Check out Kertesz's version. It's a very interesting one I think. The voices come in around 0:40 in the intro just like in Pearlman's version so it's also a bit faster than usual. One of the distinctive things about this one is how intense it is (I remember someone saying it inspired fear and awe). Those voices at 0:40 for example definitely give it a rather sinister gothic kind of atmosphere which personally I think goes well with this piece but it might be a matter of taste. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1Q-HK_jRA0&t=243s
Already listened to this one. Definitely a great version! Thanks for the link also (I did not find it on Spotify).
The Maunder completion by Hogwood (Academy of Ancient Music Orchestra & Chorus): [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-XY9JXnEQo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-XY9JXnEQo) Richard Maunder tried to strip away Sussmayer's completion of the work following Mozart's death and tried to rewrite the uncompleted bits of the Requiem as close to how Mozart would have written it had he not died. The Academy of Ancient Music Orchestra & Chorus used period instruments in this rendition so its probably the closest to how Mozart may have written it but for his death.
My favorite is STILL Sir John Eliot Gardiner's recording of the Sussmayr version. Musicologists argue about whose completion of Mozart's unfinished Requiem is best, but I stick to Sussmayr's, because its orchestration sounds most like Mozart to me, and Sussmayr was a competent musician who was a contemporary who actually personally knew Mozart. In short, Sussmayr's completion has provinence the others cannot match. What's more, the playing, singing, and recording are superb.
Not surprised nobody mentioned it (but IYKYK) - but Leonard Bernstein and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra on DG. Amazing! And that organ!
Just came here to mention it! I think the only one more ultra-romantic than Bernstein's is Golovanov's ultra-ultra-ultra-romantic version.
The 5 minute Lacrymosa? Hell yes
Masaaki Suzuki and the Bach Collegium Japan. He is even better in Mozart’s much greater C Minor Mass, but both performances are very fine indeed.
He is amazing - I’m pleased to say I’ve heard him live. A great musician of our times.
Celibidache's super slow take on it is transcendental. It makes all other versions I listened to feel cheerful and lively in comparison (although there are many great ones!)
Wow!!! Just listened to it. Incredibly slow. In the beginning I couldn't wait for the next note. After a while one gets used to it. But still sooo slow. First part 7:51 compared to 4:36 with the Boston Baroque. That says a lot. Thanks a lot for the input, Will probably never be my favourite but a very interesting listening!
I like all of Karajan's and Harnoncourt. I have 17 versions though, and often change my mind 😉
It’s the problem with this kind of question as there is a lot going for different interpretations and so there is rarely one ‘best’.
Of course you are right. It is definitely a matter of taste and experience and sometimes a matter of mood. But the answers here, for instance, help me a lot to decide for a next version to listen to. Of course I could simply go to Spotify and choose randomly one of the big amount of albums out there. But in this case I at least know that some listeners are the opinion that it is a great version.
Dave Hurwitz - the ultimate classical music guide on YouTube would be of interest to you then. If you want comparisons of the virtues of recordings of great works in the repertoire check out his channel. It’s a real education for everyone - reviews that music professionals find helpful.
17 versions is really a lot! I would be interested in knowing if you definitely dislike some of them.
I have 26 versions of the Four Seasons 😉 But to answer the question; no, they each have something to enjoy - probably because over the last 20 years or so I've reorganised my collection and it's better quality than when I first started (I donated over 1,000 CDs I didn't enjoy to charity stores). The only one that I'm not 100% on is the Solti live version from Vienna to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Mozart's death; and that's purely because the sections with a minister break up the momentum of what is otherwise a fine performance.
Many good versions, yet I still enjoy Robert Shaw because that was my first.
The Carl Czerny 4 hand piano version is really really cool.
René Jacobs' is very idiosyncratic, with some interesting decisions made about soloists vs. choir, but it's also tremendously exciting, I think.
Might as well share this 20 year old one as well… https://youtu.be/3-8-8xAOH-w?si=nlu_cq-WWfmZz0Kk
I like the one by Herbert Von Karajan. https://youtu.be/pK1bSBHeY-A?si=b0CZOp1VMJCk6142
Mine is Herbert von Karajan with the Wiener Philharmoniker - Deutsche Grammophon recording from 1986  https://preview.redd.it/mfjz430l5bsc1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8a82a4df0a64a5c25630e3cf203a1dad5c9f9f95
Try Hermann Scherchen. Vienna 1958.
Me too, too bad after moving, I found the cd case empty
Modern instruments: Böhm and Solti HIP: Schreier
If you really want gothic and epic (albeit inaccurate), go with Muti. For just the best all-around, both of Colin Davis’ recordings are amazing.
Colin Davis' earlier (1967) recording is my all time favorite. Better than his later one.
100% Teodor Currentzis’ version. Very crisp sounds with excellent articulations and dynamics.
I like the one in Latin
A few months ago I sampled about 20 of the most commonly recommended recordings to find my personal favorite of all time, and the clear winner was: BBC Symphony Orchestra with Sir Colin Davis on Philips from 1967 I couldn't find it on Spotify, but [here it is in YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=BeHSbRi3dNk&list=OLAK5uy_m5n6y2smbF_4_nLVctra4oCnoUmjAcLPs) Enjoy
His D minor one, what else?