You won't get any argument from me there. 49 years ago I played hookey from high school to see the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy perform Brahms' Violin Concerto and Beethoven's 7th. I still think they are the best concerto and symphony ever, with Bruch's concerto and Brahms' 4th both getting the silver medal.
Splitting the difference between the Allegretto and the Scherzo is, as I put it in my class when discussing the best tempo for Mozart's 40th, like two chefs debating over the amount of tarragon to put in the au jus for the lamb roast, while everyone else is doing drive-bys for chicken nuggets.
LOL...FOOD ANALOGIES!
And, as Shakespeare would say,
“If MUSIC be the FOOD of love, play on!”
:-)
Over 50 years ago, I played hooky from high school, bought some flowers, got on the Subway to Logan Airport, and greeted the Maharishi Maheesh Yogi as he came through the gate. I greeted him with the flowers and a kiss.
Little did I know that that kiss was filmed and shown on the 6:00PM NEWS that evening as I sat eating supper with my family.
WAS I EVER GROUNDED!
BTW...I grew up going to Symphony Hall and have heard some great conductors, but I envy anyone who was able to hear Eugene Ormandy!