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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, well at least they're being honest, if that's of any consequence?
My local classical radio station (it's often silly, however it) features a live concert once a week from anywhere but typically from Western Europe and it makes me wish that I had a better Magnum Dynalab and a professional reel to reel so that I could tape them.
You know, I have a DG mono platter of Karajan conducting the Brahms 4th that I believe was recorded in 1966 and it sounds wonderful. It seems that in the big picture, that DG has a track record of being inconsistent, am I right to say that? One prime example would be the Anne Sophie Mutter recordings of the Mozart Violin Concertos on CD compared to the Concertos on DVD. The performances of both are wonderful but the DVD recording sounds thin and a little gritty in comparison to the CD's. Sorry but I didn't have any Beethoven examples.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
I would love to own a good R-R deck. From what I know of DG history, they and decca were tops for classical. They merged w. Polygram 1972; funny that they started to have problems in the mid 70s and then they had trouble adapting to Digital. From an insider I heard the engineers were unhappy with the company. So yes inconsistent
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
Hi Lowrider, Goofyfoot, and anyone else discussing the state of recording today. One of you wrote: "I just wish there could be more of an emphasis put on live recordings and damn the mistakes, that's just part of the process."

Actually, this is exactly how the vast majority of orchestras do any recording at all anymore, at least the live part. About the only way my orchestra ever does any recording anymore is by releasing stuff from the live concerts, with just a very little editing done to them. Not from a patch session, either, the only material used is from the live performances. Then the recording is usually released only in the local area - no middle men. This is why you do not see very many out there. It is basically only one step up from the radio broadcasts of the concerts, and also without the compression, of course.

Some of the very biggest orchestras still make occasional recordings for the very big labels, but these are few and far between. Usually, orchestras use the process described above, and are essentially their own "label". It is all self-produced. They can usually be purchased on the orchestra's website, or locally, but are not otherwise available.

This method is far less expensive than the normal way, which is still used, and the advantage to folks like yourselves who wish that recordings were more live is that these basically are - as I said, not even one patch session, just the material from the live concerts, usually three in a weekend for most full-time orchestras. The only thing closer to a live recording, unless of course it actually is one, are the radio broadcasts. These are unedited, though the best parts of the weekend will be chosen. I serve on the committee in my orchestra that chooses what is broadcast from each symphonic weekend's program (for instance, it might be the Sunday overture, the Saturday first two movements of a concerto with the Sunday third movement, and for a four movement symphony you might get something from all three nights, whichever the committee feels were the best performances). So I would encourage those of you who want to listen to recordings that are almost live to search the web for radio broadcasts.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Interesting comment, Learsfool and most appreciated. Do u have suggestions for web broadcasts of symphony and concerto?
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot
1,412 posts
 
Much of what I hear on my radio are studio recordings, orchestral or otherwise.
All of the CSO recordings with Paavo Jarvi are studio recordings. Yes of course, by live I mean a top rate recording of one evening from start to finish. I find that my favorite recordings are the Orfeo d'Or remasters of the Salzburg Festivals ( the Clara Haskil is breathtaking and in mono). Always appreciate your sharing your knowledge Learsfool and Lowrider, etc... Any good orderly direction is also appreciated.
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