The best recordings of Beethoven's Symphonies 1-9

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Audiophilehi

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

I need to get a copy of that boxed set.

[Denver]

My favorite set out of the eight that I have purchased on vinyl over the past year is conducted by Bruno Walker.
Both sound and performance.
The second would be Sir George Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony.
The other six in no order.
Otto Klemperer
Herbert Van Karajan
Leonard Bernstein
George Szell
Rafael Kubelik
Karl Bohm
Yes, eight is enough of the nine symphonies-for me.

[tima]

Originally Posted by Denver

My favorite set out of the eight that I have purchased on vinyl over the past year is conducted by Bruno Walker.
Both sound and performance.
The second would be Sir George Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony.
The other six in no order.
Otto Klemperer
Herbert Van Karajan
Leonard Bernstein
George Szell
Rafael Kubelik
Karl Bohm
Yes, eight is enough of the nine symphonies-for me.

These are all excellent conductors.

I'm thinking you mean Bruno Walter. Do you have a catalog number for that set?

[Denver]

Originally Posted by tima

These are all excellent conductors.

I'm thinking you mean Bruno Walter. Do you have a catalog number for that set?

Yes, Bruno Walter. CBS S77701

[tima]

Originally Posted by Denver

Yes, Bruno Walter. CBS S77701

Thanks! These were recorded circa 1958-59. I know Walter more for his Mahler. He is a superb conductor, among the very best. You have an excellent collection of Beethoven symphonies. One other conductor to consider is Andre Cluytens w/ the Berlin Philharmonic. I don't know if a complete set was issued on vinyl but one can be put together from individual issuances. Same time frame as the Walter. For a sampler, try his 6th / Pastoral.


HNV ASD 433

[SCAudiophile]

***FIXED LINKS to Tower Records Japan items....

Any interested in older prized Walter Beethoven, Mahler and Brahms on SACD should take a look at these Limited Edition SACDs available from Japan only, extremely well remastered. They are also offering a box set of remastered SACDs of Tennstedt Mahler 1, 2, 5, 9, 10 that are revered!.

I have picked up all and they are excellent...

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICC-10286

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICC-10316

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICC-10306

https://tower.jp/item/5038712


There are also Ormandy PHL, Szell Cleveland, and Bernstein NY being offered that sound excellent..

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UCGG-9183

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICC-10253

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICC-10267



For Kubelik Beethoven, I am eagerly awaiting this...

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UCGG-9190

And if that's not enough remastering of great older recordings, these should be excellent!

https://tower.jp/item/5027436

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

***FIXED LINKS to Tower Records Japan items....

Any interested in older prized Walter Beethoven, Mahler and Brahms on SACD should take a look at these Limited Edition SACDs available from Japan only, extremely well remastered. They are also offering a box set of remastered SACDs of Tennstedt Mahler 1, 2, 5, 9, 10 that are revered!.

I have picked up all and they are excellent...

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICC-10286

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICC-10316

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICC-10306

https://tower.jp/item/5038712


There are also Ormandy PHL, Szell Cleveland, and Bernstein NY being offered that sound excellent..

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UCGG-9183

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICC-10253

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICC-10267



For Kubelik Beethoven, I am eagerly awaiting this...

https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UCGG-9190

And if that's not enough remastering of great older recordings, these should be excellent!

https://tower.jp/item/5027436

Note: fixed 2 links

[eljr]

Originally Posted by audioguy3107

Michael Fremer did an Analog Planet video on a few of his favorite sets not too long ago..focus on vinyl of course. Based on his recommendation I purchased the Simon Rattle Berlin Philharmonic Vinyl Box. It’s one of the better sets I’ve heard for a combination of performance and sound quality.

Nailed it on the first reply!

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by eljr

Nailed it on the first reply! [emoji106]

The silver disc set on this is also stunning!

[GSOphile]

Originally Posted by tima

Everyone (except maybe Tony) thus far seems to think only a single conductor can deliver "the best recordings of Beethoven's Symphonies 1-9 for both performance and sound quality." Convenience? I don't think you asked for that.

A single set of all 9 from a single conductor with the same orchestra in a particular time period could be a way to gain your very first exposure to Beethoven if you have none.

But before you go buy something, consider another approach.

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.

+1 .... and +1 for using Gramophone as a musical performance reference, e.g.,

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/feature...ny-no-3-eroica