Let's not forget the first violinist is also a soloist, and Herman Krebbers takes the palm in the Jochum/RCO.
My two favourite recordings of Missa Solemnis are firstly
Gunter Wand Gurzenich Orchester Koln Testament SBT 1283 (1965) Leonore Kirschstein, Jeanne Deroubaix, Peter Schreier, Gunther Morbach.
Herbert V Karajan Berliner Philharmoniker, Wiener Singverein,DG 453 016-2 (1966). Gundala Janowitz, Christa Ludwig, Fritz Wunderlich, Walter Berry
The singers in the Wand recording are not as prestigious as those for Karajan on DG, however since Wand not only trained the orchestra and choir with 40 rehearsals, the voices sound much clearer, there is no jarring soprano in the Kyrie as in the Karajan. Gundala Janowitz. The Wand tempo is more driven, which gives more urgency to the performance. Certainly it sounds to me more devout. I can put up with intonation from the Gurzenich orchestra, the violin cadenza in the Sanctus is now clear compared to its vinyl original. If you do not have a Missa Solemnis buy the Wand one. It is miles better than grumpy Gardiner's!
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