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See, I take it this way -- if there's a definitive version recorded, it's best to hear that. Some of this argument is similar to the arguments from Attali about the star system and concerts as jukeboxes, so it's a bit better articulated there. But really, when I listen to, say, jazz, I'd rather hear the album. Yeah, sure, I might miss a sicker solo or what have you, but the recording is often just more polished. Now here, I'm talking about standards, of course. Heading to the upper room of Blue Nile to hear Justin Peake's new project is better than missing out on the music. With music that isn't improvisational, it'd certainly be best to hear something that's well mixed and the right take, versus being subject to the acoustics of the cheap seats, clams, and a sound guy who's had one too many. Also, shame on your vinyl fetish -- digital can do all the same things and more that analog can on the user-end -- recording is a bit different, but still generally holds.

One thing I might point out is that listening to music on YouTube or CD or even Vinyl doesn't compare in the slightest to hearing it live in the concert hall. It is very much an experience of going to the concert hall and listening to 100 live people create lovely sounds with pieces of wood and metal in their hands. No recording will ever replicate that feeling. So there is very much a value in going to the concert hall, otherwise the concert hall would be irrelevant.

Perhaps I've gotten too used to the NYP's flawless performances where their performances are usually better than recordings. Not all orchestras are that good...