Added in my library 2 records by Kapustin (2+2, piano pieces), now I have to wait for the new DACs to arrive. Tnx for the tip Knerian

Yes, that composition/ recording tops my Beethoven list easily. Naive (which can be found on Amazon) bought the rights from Auvidis Valois and the price is excellent. Unfortunately I paid a whole lot more at the time.

I have not made my mind on the 9th yet, let me know your picks

You have a point here knerian. But how do you judge the tutti with the HE6? dont you feel that it turns into a scrambled egg? In my ears the 800 offer a better layering/ distinction among instruments. May I ask what amp/source do you use?

I like the Cyprien Katsaris rendition of the 9th.  It's the only solo piano version I've heard.  just kidding, I haven't listened to the 9th in a long time, I think the last time was watching Clockwork Orange, but now that we are talking about it I will put it on the playlist.  What/who do you recommend?

As for the HE-6/HD800 scrambled egg tutti question, I will need to listen and think about that more.  The largest issue is that in a big tutti, do the other instruments besides the brass and timpani even matter?  J/K. 

I heard Bruckner 8 live yesterday and they had 5 trumpets, 3 trombone, 1 tuba, 8 horns with 4 doubling on Wagner tubas.  All symphonies should include that many brass players, seriously.  One thing I will say is that no headphone can come CLOSE to a full symphony sound.  While it's obvious, you just kind of forget it sometimes.  I wrote about the concert in the live concerts thread, but I will say even one good concert is worth the cost of a pc of audio equipment sometimes. It was so good I am going back again tonight for the final performance.

I hit as many concerts as I can, on a good year 30+, on a bad season still not less than 15 (we are talking classical, i don't count in jazz, rock etc) so I know exactly what you mean knerian. If I had the time and money I would listen to live music every day, this being impossible made me built a decent stereo system for auditioning classic music. Will pm you with some details on equipment.

I found Kapustin's "Jazz pieces for Piano", if by any chance you don't have it let me know.

On the 9th (vinyl) I have Furtwangler, Karajan (both 1st and 2nd take on DG), Ivanov (Melodiya), Konwitschny (Fontana) and maybe something else I am forgetting right now. Like em all but no fav one. Still looking..

Ahh, of course I have that Kapustin CD, it's a great intro to his work.

So I listened to the Sorabji transcriptions by Habermann and it is quite interesting indeed. Got the Opus Clavincembalisticum too, with Ogdon (listening as we speak, it will take the entire night> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opus_clavicembalisticum ). Tnx for the tip Knerian.

I find certain similarities (in the form) with another last century favorite of mine, the concert for 2 pianos (or four hands if you prefer) by Poulenc. Highly recommended for the black disc followers is the Decca LP with Eden and Tamir.