Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

Sorry, I mean't 'eradicate the problems inherent in those original antiques'.

Tostadosunidos, I believe that most people would agree that expectations are higher whenever hearing a well known masterpiece though of course that's not to say that new compositions don't also demand a high level of performance. Either way, a sense of 'danger' is essential. This comes through in a quality piece despite its age or classification.

I am in the camp of having more than one version - not only because of different overall styles and sonics, but also because of the almost unavoidable variability in quality of performance and sonics among the nine symphonies regardless of overall (ie. average) quality.

I think I have too many Beethoven sets. Five. :)

The last two complete sets I purchased were:
La Chambre Philharmonique / Krivine on period instruments

London Symphony Orch / Haitink SACD

I got the Krivine because they played period instruments and used a much smaller orch. It's growing on me. it may end up being my favorite. Less bombastic. After all it took years for Bohm to be the favorite. The first time I played bohm I thought something was wrong with the CD. It was soooo slow. Back it went on the shelf for several years. Now I appreciate slow. And he has the greatest vocals.

I got the Haitink so I could have a complete set on SACD. They were both well reviewed in the British audio / music press. I don't consider it exceptional.

I also have two 9ths by Furtwangler. The 1951 at Bayreuth and 1954 in Lucerne (sacd) I cannot get past the sound quality on either. When it comes to performance vs sound quality, I go with sound quality every time.

Cheers

Not to beat any dead horses (maybe it's too late for that) but Sergiu Celibidache was a masterful maestro and his zen like tempos have earned him somewhat of a cult like following. I highly recommend the Brahms, all 4 discs are recorded live with the Münchner Philharmoniker on EMI. I find the sonic quality to be superb and the German Requiem is included on one of the sets. I believe that Sergiu Celibidache and the Munich on EMI will be my next choice for Beethoven.

'You can't do anything other than let it happen. You just let it evolve. You don't do anything yourself. All you do is make sure that nothing disturbs this wonderful creation in any way. You are extremely active and at the same time extremely passive. You don't do anything; you just let it evolve.'

Sergiu Celibidache

For records, the mono Toscanini box set on RCA Shaded Dog is still worth digging up now and again.

"The OP was looking for top notch recordings with good performances. For me, the analog DG recordings of the Berliner made in the Jesus Christus Kirche were good, but when they changed the recording venue and went to digital recordings forget it. Not so good. I found von Karajan's recordings made in the 60's very worthwhile, but those that came later were pretty forgetable."

I agree that the 60s cycle is superb, but sound problems plague the later cycles. What bothers me about DG recordings (CDs) is the period from late 70s thru the 80s when the engineers were experimenting with close-miking techniques, plus they did not adapt well to digital in the 80s. Seems like the Philips and Decca engineers were able to get it right.
DG had to correct many of the Karajan recordings.