Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

Hi Goofyfoot. Your point of familiarity is certain well-taken. But in the end, it is my response to any given performance that holds sway.

As an example, I recently acquired Enoch zu Guttenberg's Mozart Requiem. He uses much smaller forces than other conductors, e.g. HvK, Bernstein, Richter. The SQ is astounding, with great clarity and space around the singers and musicians, but in the end I wished his orchestra and chorus were larger.

Certainly Merlinus, I can appreciate a large orchestra with the best of them. I've had a variety of experiences with different groups of various sizes in situations that may or may not come off so well. One of the most interesting was a performance of a Mahler work (I can't remember which one) where the motivation was to exemplify how music in the home was contingent upon people meeting with instruments, reading sheet music and playing the music themselves. Anyway, the band consisted of something like a marimba, oboe, trumpet, violin, cello, snare drum and cymbal and piano. I doubt if I'll ever hear Mahler played that way again but it was well thought out and rather interesting. However I tend to make a steady diet out of chamber music while listening to full scale orchestra only here and there.

Hey Loydelee, thanks! I requested the Gardiner cycle from my local library.

Great Goofyfoot! Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

What a great thread - sorry I came to this party late. I scanned through the comments and offer a Beethoven 4th for consideration: Carlos Kleiber, Bayerisches Staatsorchester on the Orfeo D'Or label (Live Recording) C100841A. As I recall, this CD was not well reviewed when it was issued, but the performance is incandescent and sonics are outstanding. I second a previous suggestions for the best 9th Bohm, VPO, Norman, Fassbaender, Domingo, Berry; best 6th Bruno Walter, Columbia SO; best 5th and 7th Carlos Kleiber on DG. I don't think anyone suggested as a best 3rd from Karajan out of the 1977 cycle. Also, a very enjoyable but dark 4th is Mravinsky, Leningrad Philharmonic Orch, 1973, Melodiya label. Also worth finding is the quirkiest but most exuberant 2nd ever, Bohm VPO that was broadcast live from the Salzburg Festival (1980 or 1981) that I recorded from the radio at the time.

Anyone suggestions for the best Beethoven "Missa Solemnis"? Thanks.