Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

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.

Hi,
I listened to the Gardiner Beethoven 7th yesterday and was thoroughly pleased with the performance but not so much with the recording. It seems that with these recordings in general, that the lowest registers, i.e. the double basses, tend to suffer from anemia. The dynamics are not the same, detail is lost and the sound stage leaves some shallow muddiness that just appears as a quiet low drone. It's still worth having these performances but I would make sure to purchase the newer box set.

As I think I mentioned much earlier in this thread, I have been watching the DVD's of Abbado's performances of the Beethoven symphony cycle that were recorded about 10 years ago, with the Berlin Philharmonic. About 2/3 of the personnel of that orchestra changed under Abbado, and he made that group what it is right now, one of the top handful of orchestras in the world. All of those performances are incredible, and there is a nice interview with Abbado about both Beethoven (about which I agree with basically ever word he says) and his time in Berlin in general. Very highly recommended, especially for the performances. The blend and transparency he achieves with the Berliners is amazing. For me, there is not a better living conductor, and would be my first choice to get to work with at some point on the list of those I have not been able to in my career.

Sir Colin Davis just passed at 85. If I'm not mistaken, I remember his recordings with the Cleveland. Could have been the Egmont Overture. I'm amazed that conductors of this era are able to continue, Claudio Abbado being among them.