I have heard Gergiev conduct many times, more than I can count. I have heard him in Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Debussy, Ravel, Tchaikovsky, Scriabin, Szymanowski, Brahms, Mussorgsky, Balakirev, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Mahler, Messiaen, Berlioz, Tishchenko (!), Bartok, Mozart, Dutilleux, and probably a few more that I can't bring to mind right now. I am also familiar with a good number of the recordings. It's fair to say I have followed him closely, for better or worse. I know there are different opinions out there, and I am interested to hear what others think. I shall attempt not to reply.