There are quite a few Beethoven symphony cycles that use period instruments or are informed by period practice:
* Gardiner's set on DG Archiv uses period instruments. I think his tempos are generally on the hectic side, especially the finale of the 9th, which is manic without majesty.
* David Zinmans set on Arte Nova is bargain priced. Uses modern instruments but influenced by period practice. Best in the set, I think, are 1, 2, and 4.
* Also using modern instruments but influenced by period practice is the set by Harnoncourt with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. These are vigorous, engaging readings.
Of the three sets I list here, I prefer this one of all the historical or quasi-historical performances.
But if you want your Beethoven sublime and majestic, historical may not be the way to go. Im sure that Audiogon users have their own favorites, and just for the heck of it, here are some of mine:
Symphony No. 3: Klemperer, EMI
Symphony No. 5: Kleiber, DG
Symphony No. 6: Walter, Sony Classics
Symphony No. 9: Bohm, DG
There are plenty of others happy listening!
* Gardiner's set on DG Archiv uses period instruments. I think his tempos are generally on the hectic side, especially the finale of the 9th, which is manic without majesty.
* David Zinmans set on Arte Nova is bargain priced. Uses modern instruments but influenced by period practice. Best in the set, I think, are 1, 2, and 4.
* Also using modern instruments but influenced by period practice is the set by Harnoncourt with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. These are vigorous, engaging readings.
Of the three sets I list here, I prefer this one of all the historical or quasi-historical performances.
But if you want your Beethoven sublime and majestic, historical may not be the way to go. Im sure that Audiogon users have their own favorites, and just for the heck of it, here are some of mine:
Symphony No. 3: Klemperer, EMI
Symphony No. 5: Kleiber, DG
Symphony No. 6: Walter, Sony Classics
Symphony No. 9: Bohm, DG
There are plenty of others happy listening!