The best recordings of Beethoven's Symphonies 1-9

[bart]

All very good suggestions.
I own quite a few of them.

I'll add the following.

Blu-ray:



CD-box:



SACD:

[GSOphile]

I have multiple copies of Beethoven's 'big ones' (3, 5 & 9). My favorites on CD/SACD are
1. No 3: Gunter Wand, North German Radio Symphony, RCA 60755-2-RC. I would probably buy his complete set if I had to choose one.
2. No 5 (& No 7): Carlos Kleiber, Vienna Philharmonic, DG 447 400-2 (CD) or DG 471-6302 (CD/SACD). This is arguably the most famous classical recording in the catalog, classical music's 'Kind of Blue.'
3. No 9: Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic, DG 474 605-2 (CD/SACD) - remaster of 1963 performance.
Also: Daniel Barenboim, West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, Warner Classics 2564 63927-2.
I generally prefer the earlier Beethoven recordings to more recent ones played at faster tempos by smaller ensembles, often using period instruments.

[Audiophilehi]

Thanks for all the recommendations. I am far from a Beethoven aficionado so I'll start with a complete set. I was perusing the internet and found a brand new 1963 cycle of Beethoven's Symphonies by Herbert von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker on Deutsche Grammophon that was recommended by Stephen on Ebay. (Thanks Stephen)

[SCAudiophile]

All great recordings and have them all...there is a new out there too to check out. Andris Nelsons and Vienna

https://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Com.../dp/B07TJKC26B

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

Thanks for all the recommendations. I am far from a Beethoven aficionado so I'll start with a complete set. I was perusing the internet and found a brand new 1963 cycle of Beethoven's Symphonies by Herbert von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker on Deutsche Grammophon that was recommended by Stephen on Ebay. (Thanks Stephen)

Glad it worked out for you, Paul. I agree with Tim that there a lot of good versions of the symphonies, but I think to get started, you will be very happy with the DG 1963 cycle. Please let us know what you think once you get familiar with them.

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Glad it worked out for you, Paul. I agree with Tim that there a lot of good versions of the symphonies, but I think to get started, you will be very happy with the DG 1963 cycle. Please let us know what you think once you get familiar with them.

I sure will Stephen. Thanks again to all for the recommendations. Who knows, I might try to become an aficionado of the 9 symphonies and try all of your recommendations.

Happy New Year ������ to all.

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Glad it worked out for you, Paul. I agree with Tim that there a lot of good versions of the symphonies, but I think to get started, you will be very happy with the DG 1963 cycle. Please let us know what you think once you get familiar with them.

That is a fantastic cycle to hear first!

[radio times]

3 and 6, oh the 3 and Six. Played 'em all to death back in the day, but you have started at the very top. I had to make do and mend with the Karajan '74 recordings.

[Audiophilehi]

Enjoyed the CD box set and now just picked up the vinyl box.

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by tima

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If you truly want the best recording of each symphony, choose individual performances. No single conductor is the best for all of them. This approach will expose you to a variety of performances and interpretations. Perhaps you'll learn more about Beethoven and gain a greater appreciation for his greatness.



You can google "best recordings of beethoven symphonies". This will take you out of the audiophile world and into the musical world. Also you can ask folks here to suggest the best recording for each. It's okay to go for a vinyl only, digital, or mix. If you use a streaming service that will let you sample. Across these choices I suspect you'll find some smattering of consensus or winnowing down to 3-4 recording for each symphony. While there is no single conductor set that is the best for all, the best for you may be the set you build yourself.

Much agree with this approach. That is exactly what I did. Very happy to find that I already "owned" all of them (via Qobuz) and just added them to my favorites.

And for those that use Roon, you can create your own cycle. You do so by creating Playlist to include the 9 Symphonies with your favorite version of each symphony.