Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

Learsfool, I agree--there is usually some gray area regarding tempo (without betraying the original intent). Also agreement regarding Haydn influence on LVB and that the Rosen book is worth checking out. Thanks for the good post.

For the record, one can hear Hummel and Clementi as well in Beethoven, but he never studied with them (well, that I know of).

Hi Tostadosunidos - love that moniker, by the way - yes, I would agree with the Hummel/Clementi influences, too, though this would come more from performing their music than actual compositional ideas - Beethoven was far better than either of them as a writer, for sure.

Goofyfoot - that's an interesting background. Cincinnati has a very good orchestra, I assume you attend their concerts regularly. I have been reading a fair amount about aesthetics lately myself. I took a couple of art history courses in college, but my interests outside of music tend more to drama and literature in general, poetry as well. As you can guess from my moniker, Shakespeare has been a big study of mine.

Lowrider, I can't offer an opinion on the best sounding Toscanini. What I can tell you is that the RCA red seals I have of the Beethoven and Brahms symphonies are pretty decent. They have been remastered and are much better than the same recordings (vinyl) I had in the late 60's early 70's. You can get the 9 Beethoven symphonies for about $20 on Amazon now. That might be a good place to start. I don't own any of the Testament recordings or EMI's.

thanks, Brownsfan... the reviewers on Amazon are also recommending the Red Seal. And since you are a gentleman and a scholar, I'll go for it.