Let me ask the experts a question that has bothered me for years.

I remember when CDs were first issue it was widely stated the playing time
( and thus the physcial size) was determined so that a complete performance
of Beethoven's 9th Sym. would fit on one CD. Never heard mention of one
particular version.

Wikipedia mentions under Disc shapes and diameters at this address:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_disc
Mentions.... This capacity was reportedly specified by Sony executive Norio
Ohga <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norio_Ohga> so as to be able to contain
the entirety of London Philharmonic Orchestra
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Philharmonic_Orchestra>'s
recording of Beethoven's
Ninth Symphony <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beethoven%27s_Ninth_Symphony> on
one disc. However the reference article only mentions. "The flamboyant
music connoisseur insisted the CD be designed at 4.8 inches in diameter to
hold 75 minutes worth of music — in order to store Beethoven's Ninth
Symphony in its entirety." This does not mention a specific performance.

So if there was a specific performance in mind which one was it and is it
still in release. Please mention one of the release numbers.
My only complaint is that they did not set up a standard for mono CDs. If a
true mono standard was created at the time, a mono CD could have contained
twice the musical material. I realize some labels have recorded two mono
signals (one in each channel) but that requires you to listen to one
channel or the other, it was not set up in the standard to active a true
mono mode in the format.

Paul Urbahns
Radcliff, Ky