Best symphony recordings

I agree with Sugarbrie's suggestions, particularly as to the Beethoven. On the Dvorak, two other suggestions--the old Kertesz recording on London/Decca, my favorite interpretation and a good recording (should be available on CD, and definitely has been reissued on vinyl), and the recent Macaal/New Jersey Symphony recording on Delos, coupled with an excellent Dvorak Requiem and terrific sonics (captures the sound of the NJSO in the New Jersey Performing Arts Center very well).

There are two Kertesz recordings of the Dvorak; one is around 1961, the other about 1967. RcPrince: Confirm that the 1967 recording is the one to check out, which is my understanding.

I'll have to check my records when I get home tonight, but the 67's the one I was thinking of. The vinyl reissue may be the '61 recording.

I second both nominations.

In general, if you are shooting in the dark you can't go too far wrong with Solti/Chicago provided that you like the distinctive sound that he produced there--forward brasses, lots of emphasis on low sonorities, brisk tempos, and a steadfast resistance to schmaltz. Once in a while he fired for effect (exaggerated dynamics, mostly) but generally the CSO played quite competently under his baton and his musical taste was impeccable, if tending to the dramatic. He was quite a tyrant for precision playing; you won't hear wrong notes in the third horns or the annoying "shimmer" of imprecise bowing. Highly recommended, especially if you're into German Romanticism.

Oops, didn't mean to turn this into a tribute to the man.

Will

I will agree with the above poster on the Beethoven recordings. They are the best in terms of the performance.
There is simply no SUBSTITUTE.
I would like to add that it is available on "The Originals" series by DG # 447 400-2GOR.

As far as Dvorak Symphony 9 goes, there are few excellent choices. The most well known I suppose is on London/Decca with maestro Kertesz grand performance and high-quality sound perhaps best all around. Another great one is
Kurt Masur on Apex #8573-89085-2 (could be hard to find). However, my favorite is on Chesky CD #31 (most under appreciated) with Jascha Horenstein, just awesome performance and big, airy sound. No adjective could be wasted in trying to capture, in words this music.

There are few NEW releases by JVC XRCD and from my previous experience, I believe that they are SUPERB. I will be getting them in near future.

I hope that it helps, enjoy it