In Reply to: Beethoven: 9 Symphonies Best Box Set posted by PhillyB on April 7, 2007 at 11:13:00:
The below only reflects CDs.I find Bohm/VPO the most consistently satisfying set and it's in decent sound. Jochum/Concertgebouw is my second favorite set but the sound is a little thin. The new Vanska recordings have the best sound in Beethoven but the performances so far are "merely" good r/t great.
Favorite individual Symphonies (which are essential as no set I've heard is really good enough in all of these required Masterpieces and many great performances are available on budget releases).
#1 - Szell, Jochum
#2 - Szell, Norrington, Konwitschny
#3 - Walter, Bohm, Klemperer('59), Norrington, Szell
#4 - Bernstein(NYP), Konwitschny, Walter, Leinsdorf
#5 - Reiner, Bohm, Szell(Amsterdam or Vienna), Kleiber
#6 - Monteux, Bohm, Furtwangler
#7 - Bohm, Reiner, Kleiber, Zinman, Wand
#8 - Szell, Norrington, Ormandy
#9 - Furtwangler(Bayreuth or Lucerne), Bohm, Karajan('62 or '77).I have not heard the Weingartner or Mengelberg performances. Next on my list.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- Box sets and individual performances, IMHO - classfolkphile 04/10/0723:10:18 04/10/07 (0)