LvB 9 vs. Schubert 9

[eyeresist]

I don't "hate" the Schubert 9th, but it doesn't click with me nearly as much as the Beethoven.  I've heard the Schubert live a few times in the last few years, and each time came away thinking, "Well, OK...nice, but don't need to hear it again for awhile."

Performances tend to be too heavy and/or too long (doing the repeats is not a good idea). I just recommended Mehta in another thread, for avoiding these problems.

I picked Schubert, because it's the one I prefer to listen to.

[Lilas Pastia]

The question not being about the 'greatest' one, I definitely come down in favour of Schubert's. I listen to it with more pleasure than Beethoven's, which often comes across as an overblown concoction. There .

Of course the whole concept is silly, as in Bruckner 9 vs Mahler 9, or Beethoven VC vs Brahms VC, but then again it's fair game and good fun.

[MN Dave]

...but then again it's fair game and good fun.

Exactly.

Well, it's not a total blow-out for Beethoven.

[Wanderer]

I love them both. I'm going to have a banana split now.

[Sorin Eushayson]

Excuse my propensity for controversy, but I remember that when I first got into music I decided to give various composers a try:  Beethoven and Mozart both blew me away - I had never heard anything like them before!  Then I tried Schubert...  My immediate impression was, "What is this?  This is terrible!"  I've never been able connect with him since.  Therefore, in my mind, he cannot come close to comparing with Beethoven.  My apologies to any Schubertians I may have offended.

[Andante]

I also like them both but if push comes to shove then LvB is the man

[owlice]

The Schubert 9th is the work which, when I come across it on the radio, I keep trying to identify as Beethoven, so for me, the Schubert 9th is the symphony that Schubert wrote for Beethoven; he almost out-Beethovens Beethoven.

I'd rather sing the Beethoven 9th than the Schubert 9th, however.

[Brahmsian]

As wonderful as Schubert's 9th symphony is, I'll take Beethoven's 9th any day, along with Beethoven's 7th, 6th, 5th, 3rd, 8th and 4th. 

[abidoful]

I simply can't choose! They haven't got much in common anyways besides their numbering....
And historically they both made an impact;
- Beethoven- Berlioz- Liszt- Wagner
- Schubert- Schumann- Bruckner