Beethoven Symphonies - best perf + sonics on CD

For a complete set: Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique, under the direction of John Eliot Gardiner.

My favorite singles:
Symphonie No. 9, Wiener Philharmoniker / Karl Bohm with Norman,Domingo,Fassbaender,Berry

Symphony Nos. 5 & 7, Wiener Philharmoniker / Carlos Kleiber

I have the Jarvi and Vanska and they are excellent also.

Cheers

That's a good comment. It is surprising about Karajan not being mentioned. The first complete set of LvB I purchased was his 1977 set with the Berliners on DG. An LP Box set.

He was considered one of the best, if not the best. I think he, along with Bernstein, were among the first 'Celeb' conductors.

He was good, The berliners were good and the DG engineers have a great reputation. But I seldom listen to him. I have the 1963 set on CD, and a SACD of the 1977 9th.
I still prefer the Bohm with Vienna. Vienna has the best strings since Philadelphia. Some symphony recordings let you hear within the orch. Some seem like a wall of sound. At least thats the way I hear it. I like the within.

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I think I have too many Beethoven sets. Five. :)

The last two complete sets I purchased were:
La Chambre Philharmonique / Krivine on period instruments

London Symphony Orch / Haitink SACD

I got the Krivine because they played period instruments and used a much smaller orch. It's growing on me. it may end up being my favorite. Less bombastic. After all it took years for Bohm to be the favorite. The first time I played bohm I thought something was wrong with the CD. It was soooo slow. Back it went on the shelf for several years. Now I appreciate slow. And he has the greatest vocals.

I got the Haitink so I could have a complete set on SACD. They were both well reviewed in the British audio / music press. I don't consider it exceptional.

I also have two 9ths by Furtwangler. The 1951 at Bayreuth and 1954 in Lucerne (sacd) I cannot get past the sound quality on either. When it comes to performance vs sound quality, I go with sound quality every time.

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Brownsfan:

I agree.

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I am considering the 1963 Karajan set on SACD. It's $72 on Amazon. But then, SACD did not do much for the 1954 9th by Furtwangler. I tired to listen to it last night but could not. It may be best, just to pick and choose the best recordings of each seperate symphony. I buy some recordings that are of histroic importance, just to have them. Never listen to them.

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Please discuss SHM-SACD.

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as an aside, has anyone noticed that on Amazon, on EVERY recording of LvB symphonies, at least ONE reviewer will say it's the best Ever!! :)

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http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-9-Symphonies-Luba-Orgonasova/dp/B0000057EO

I own this set. This one has 6 discs. The sixth disc is an interview with Gardiner. I don't think that would account for the price increase. He wasn't that profound! I think it's just 'these sellers' cashing in.

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To any and everyone:

What makes one recording great, and another, playing the same music, by the same orchestra and conductor, just run of the mill or even bad?

Think of HvK, the berliners and Beethoven's symphonies. Same conductor, same orchestra, but some are considered among the best ever, and some not so good.

This is true of throughout the classical world. Is it the conductor or the recording process that makes a classic? I realize both have to be at least good, but which is more important? How much 'wiggle room' does a conductor really have? I get the tempo thingy. But other than that?

I was thinking of Kleiber and Beethoven's 5&7. Is it a great performance or actually, just a great recording?

Thanks

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