What are the best versions of Beethovens symphonies?
I have a 1967 recording (vinyl) of the CSO with Fritz Reiner doing the Ninth Symphony, and I forget the vocal soloists, but it’s superb. The First Symphony through Third is best done by the BBC Orchestra on Deutsche Grammophone vintage 1963. The best I’ve heard of the Fourth is the Berliner Philharmoniker du Deutsche Grammophone mid-65 and the Fifth and Sixth are best performed by the Philadelphia Symphony on Columbia ca. 1960, and the Seventh and Eighth are wonderful on Bernstein’s ‘Great Performances’ series CBS Records MY36726 and MY37218. Unfortunately, I own all of these, but I don’t know how to get copies for you. They are the best performances of the nine von Beethoven Symphonies I’ve ever heard.
The Minnesota Orchestra has just released new recordings of all nine symphonies, conducted by osmo vanska, who is AMAZING. I honestly cannot say enough good about his interpretations. Every concert I go to that he conducts has me completely enchanted. His attention to detail, sensitivity to dynamics, and restraint with the orchestra are unbelieveable.
