Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

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.

Interesting comment, Learsfool and most appreciated. Do u have suggestions for web broadcasts of symphony and concerto?

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.

Hi Lowrider, Goofyfoot - I would suggest that you simply visit the websites of orchestras that you like and see what is out there - they will have details on recordings for purchase, and also sometimes you can hear recent performances for a limited period of time. Some of these are free, some not. Most classical radio stations also regularly air broadcasts of recent concerts from a few different top orchestras. I am not very familiar with satellite radio, so I couldn't tell you how those classical stations work, but there may well be stuff available that way as well. But most regular radio stations stream on the internet, so you can always find the local classical station near an orchestra you like and check their broadcast schedules and listen that way. Typically, these broadcasts occur during the evenings, at or near what would be a regular concert hour.

Learsfool, thanks for the input. I do listen to radio online, WDR 3, BBC Radio 3, France Musique. I've even written letters to them asking if they wouldn't expand their server space with memberships which could then allow members to listen at 1411 kbps instead of 320 kbps or less. The low resolution is the only thing that I don't like about audio streaming.
I occasionally look at a groups website but usually soloists and chamber groups. It hardly ever comes to mind to look at an orchestras website.
I've never tried Satellite Radio but it is available in an internet streaming format.