Some of this is a matter of taste. The reason I say this is that different labels have a different characteristic sound. I personally like some of the older Decca recordings because the recordings capture the ambience of the venue. The resulting sound is a little more "confused" than say a Mercury, or a DG, but in my opinion it sounds more "live" as a result.
I have some older Decca "ffrr" recordings that I think sound terrific, but others may find them a little too romantic sounding.
I have some older Decca "ffrr" recordings that I think sound terrific, but others may find them a little too romantic sounding.