Best symphony recordings

I think you will find that one of the best performances of the Beethoven 5th ever is the Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Carlos Kleiber on Deutsche Grammophon. It is sonically about average with most CDs, but the performance is overwhelming and a must own. It comes with a very fine Beethoven No. 7 as a bonus.

My favorite Dvorak No. 9 is George Solti, conducting the Chicago Symphony on the London/Decca label. A very commanding reading, and a good engineering job as well.

There are two Kertesz recordings of the Dvorak; one is around 1961, the other about 1967. RcPrince: Confirm that the 1967 recording is the one to check out, which is my understanding.

As far as Madisonears comment on the Kleiber, if he is referring to the "DG Originals" release, I agree somewhat. I don't like the sonics of many of those CDs. I have an earlier CD release of that 5th, and have it on LP.

There is a recording of the 5th by Ben Zander that has a bonus CD where he gives a lecture on the music and Beethoven. An interesting listen.