Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

Learsfool, thanks for bringing your very extensive knowledge and expertise to this thread. If you get a chance, do try to listen to Toscanini's 1940 Brahms 1st recording, via the link I provided above.

Returning to Beethoven, I'm surprised that no one has yet mentioned the 1958 Bruno Walter/Columbia Symphony "Pastorale."

I have it on LP, on an imported Japanese CBS/Sony remaster, I believe from the 1980s, which has very respectable if not great sonics. It appears to be readily available these days on various CDs, although I have no idea what their sonic quality may be.

It is considered by many to be the definitive interpretation of this beautiful work.

Best regards,
-- Al

"Beethoven's metronome was indeed just fine, and he really did intend for the tempos to be that quick."

I would agree and being a student of Haydn, Beethoven's early symphonies would probably be at a similar quick tempo.

Lowrider, I'm not so sure that Haydn had that much of an influence on Beethoven. His study with Haydn was financed by a benefactor. From my understanding this arrangement mostly served to set Beethoven up in Vienna from Beethoven's point of view.

Indirectly, I suspect Bach had more influence on Beethoven than Haydn did.
I am sympathetic to the argument that a great deal of flexibility in tempi was expected. Otherwise, how does one explain Brahms' bizarre attempts at explaining what he wanted in Italian. Mahler I think took a better course and used his native German. I understand his scores leave little doubt regarding his intentions.

Can somebody point me toward the best sounding remasters of Toscanini(Redbook)? I'm looking to try out a few single releases, not a box set.

A point well taken Brownsfan, but I can hear a lot of Haydn in Beethoven's 1 and 2.