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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
1,408 posts
 
Brownsfan, what comes to mind are the Rudy Van Gelder recordings of the late 1950's and early 1960's. I bought a few Analogue Production remasters thinking that I would be front and center at a live event, no way. We've gotten spoiled over the years, especially us classical music fans given the level of recording quality that is out there today. I know exactly what you mean by the sonic comparison to a cartridge upgrade. There is apparently surface noise in the tapes and that the bottom end is washed out. I'm guessing that it may have a somewhat steely sound. These engineers were probably dealing with a lot of reverberation.
Learsfool, I run hot and cold with Mr. Abbado. His Brahms violin concerto with Gil Shaham and the Berlin is one of the best. However, I'd favor Pierre Boulez as a conductor as well as some other not so obvious choices.
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Goofyfoot, Steely is not a problem on the DG remasters based on what I have heard so far. At least not steely in a digital steely sense. I think you really have to buy this stricktly on artistic merit. That said, I'm sure the remastering helped some.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
"This is no minueto!" That is very funny, Brownsfan. And thanks for your impression of the new Karajan.
I'm disappointed to hear that some of the muddiness is still there, but I'll be comparing it to the original 1963 CD release which sounds very muddy with some violins mixed in.
You know what I mean, there's a string section in the mix, but no separation.
Oh yeah, and I remembered the word to describe Karajan 1980s performances..."Passion." There is a lack of passion on Karajan's part.
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Hey Lowrider,

look forward to your impressions of the Karajan '63 original CD vs the Remaster. I felt the Remasters were definitely better...no, not the best remaster/CD i have by some margin. Its not a MA Recordings or even an FIM remaster of an older recording...but it is markedly superior to the original CD which felt 'stereotypically' thin in comparison. one man's experience.
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Update on the DG SACD 1963 Herbert von Karajan recordings. Tonight I listened to the Eroica. I was stunned. Just stunned, by how much better the recording quality was from the 1, 2, 7, & 8. Yes, there was still a little grunge here and there, but it was really good. Lower strings were not at all tubby or bloated. Horns were glorious. Violins were satisfactory. And this, my friends, is the best Eroica I have heard. I had forgotten how good this was in the 35 years since I last heard it.
Now I know why I loved HvK so much in my youth and wandered away as he aged. Stay tuned, perhaps tomorrow night I will do the 4th or the 5th.
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