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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.
crazee01
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot
1,412 posts
 
Lowrider, Brownsfan, I dare make mention of Josef Krips. Though not in anyway a household name such as von Karajan, a very intelligent and musical conductor. Of course it would be impossible to name everyone but he made some outstanding recordings. WWII was without question the cause for his tumultuous career. Any comments?
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Goofyfoot, Krips---wow, that is a name I haven;t heard for years! Back in the day, I remember having had one Krips recording. I think it may have been Schubert. That is the sum total of my experience and memory. Too many tumbleweeds in the great synaptic expanse, I fear.
pgawan2b
122 posts
 
I had the 4th, 5th and 6th symphonies of Tchaikovsky on CD by DG. One of the pieces (I confess that I can't remember which one now) sounded like the trumpets were recorded in a studio and poorly mixed in. It just sounded unnatural and improperly balanced. Despite Ted Libbey recommending this CD, I was more than happy to give it away and find something else.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't like a DG CD.
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot
1,412 posts
 
Brownsfan, to refresh your memory, Josef Krips studied with Felix Weingartner in Vienna and became principle conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic before he was exiled out of Austria.
I'm guessing that may have been around 1948 when that Krips Schubert symphony was recorded. Also, the unfinished Mozart Requiem is beautiful, possibly my favorite. His Don Giovanni with the Vienna Philharmonic and Vienna State Opera Orchestra is possibly thought to be his greatest recording achievement. Cesare Siepe is Don Giovanni and a young Lisa Della Casa plays Donna Elvira.
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
Now I am very curious about that Krips Don Giovanni recording. Krips is an interesting conductor. I have Siepe singing the Don on the Leinsdorf recording, which is nice, and I also like that they recorded all of the opera, even the numbers that are almost always cut in the last act. The best Don Giovanni, though, is Giulini's. Absolutely fantastic, as is his Figaro. By the way, the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra are one and the same ensemble - always have been.
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