Definitive Beethoven's 9th recording

Not to disappoint you but there is no universally acclaimed definitive performance, or recording for that matter, of this symphony. Everyone has their own favorite. For what its worth, i prefer Harnoncourts HIP on Teldec. As an alternative I enjoy Wand on EMI and Von Karjian '63 version.

The best performance on a recording? Hard to say. Try Karajan (1977 as well as the '63), '89 Bernstein, '87 Solti, '51 Furtwangler, or Klemperer if your looking for performance without the sonic gymnastics. Newbee is right - there is no one definitive performance. Other than the premier in 1820-something.

Bruno Walter/Columbia. Tweekerman

Really hard to say...

Bernstein, Christmas 1989
Bernstein, Vienna Philharmonic
Hogwood, Academy Ancient Music
Colin Davis, Bavarian Radio Symphony
Von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic
Fricsay, Berlin Philharmonic
Jochum, Concertgebouw
Ozawa, New Philharmonic
Schmidt-Isserstedt, Vienna Philharmonic
Solti, Chicago Symphony
Stokowski, London Symphony
Szell, Cleveland Orchestra
Toscanini, NBC Symphony