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Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

My CD's of Beethoven's symphonies were all issued in the late 80's or early 90's and sound flat and two-dimensional, with a back-of-the-house perspective. Vinyl is more dynamic but I can't tolerate the surface noise during the quiet passages. So, fellow A'gon members, I'm looking for your suggestions for the best sounding (good tone, big dynamics, front row perspective) and most thrilling performances of Beethoven symphonies on redbook CD. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
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almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Shall we do Brahms next?
Good idea :-)

Symphony No. 1, which happens to be my favorite symphony:

For performance + sonics: Horenstein/LSO, Chesky CD19

For performance: Toscanini/NBC Symphony Orchestra (1940 performance), transcribed from Victor 78s

I've downloaded the latter from the link shown, as an MP3, transcribed it to a redbook CD-R, and played it on my main system. The primitive but surprisingly listenable sound did not detract significantly from what to me is a performance for the ages.

Note that it can also be played directly from the website to your computer.

IMHO. Best regards,

-- Al
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot
1,368 posts
 
Lowrider, complete with a descriptive review of the entire set;

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=102270
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Lowrider, I have the Giulini/VPO Brahms you mentioned. It is wonderful. I also agree on the price for the Japanese imports, although I may pull the trigger on the Kempe/Strauss reissues when they are available. No one can touch Kempe on Strauss imo.
Almaarg, I also admire the Toscanini Brahms. I haven't listened to his 1st in a while. I will put that on my playlist.
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot
1,368 posts
 
I'll just throw this out there;

Immortal Performances RCA Victrola (re-pressings of the red seal deluxe edition) Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra Brahms: The Four Symphonies and "Haydn" Variations, Tragic Overture, Academic Festival Overture.

Library of Congress Card Number R67-3745

These sound better for some reason than any of the other original pressings of Toscanini Brahms on RCA.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Almarg's post reminded me of the Chesky series of Beethoven;
Rene Leibowitz/Royal Philharmonic. These were recorded in 1960 and have superb sound thanks to Chesky's tube-based remastering system.
Terrific performances with the most analogue sound I've ever heard on a CD. Very detailed, great soundstaging, and with the ambiance of being seated in the concert hall.
(but more expensive than mass-produced disks, which is understandable).
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