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In Reply to: Was a great question; got disappointing answers posted by Feanor on April 3, 2007 at 08:41:16:
I think the older masters are far from moldy. It is just what you're interested in, and how far in depth. I picked up an old Columbia 2 eye of Bruno Walter rehearsing the Beethoven 5th with the Columbia Symphony. The sound is raw and close, almost like a Mercury Living Presence Dorati record. But it is oh so real.I then got out my 6 eye Columbia Beethoven 5th, presumably the recorded performance after this rehearsal. Disappointed. No fire and sound is as if one filtered it through some softening effx on a mixer.
This listening experience reminded me of the Ansermet New Philharmonia rehearsal of the Stravinsky Firebird. Outstanding, better than the final record imo.
Your disappointment suggests that we should focus on newer recordings, but someone who loved Beethoven or Bruno Walter would have totally missed the fun I had trying out my $1 purchase last night.
In general, the posters answered that the most definitive performances were older, and I agree. But the OP asked for both good sound and performance, immediately disqualifying a lot of the recommended stuff (Furtwangler!). And he wanted "top 5." Impossible, although you may be able to compile a list of one's personal favorites.
Follow Ups:
Actually, there is plenty of good-sounding Furtwaengler material.DG issued at least two box sets of wartime Magnetophon tapes which, with the exception of some overload and blasting in the climaxes, is very modern-sounding, albeit mono. There is a 1954 VPO "Moldau" that captures some of the finest orchestral playing on record (and a majesterial interpretation) quite vividly, in a first-class CD transfer.
> > Hear it and be mesmerized. < <Yeah. I guess this is the whole point, no? When I think "great sounding and well played" I think what recorded performances really transport me. I've given up on recording quality as a mesmerizing factor - rather, as it is reproduced on my equipment a recording should not substantially detract from the performance. Mono doesn't bother me, nor does hiss, noise and (modest) overload from most 30s and 40s recordings. In fact, early in my audiophilia I sought out performances significantly on the basis of recording quality. This was a mistake. It's the performance that matters.
Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm delighted when I can find a well recorded brilliant performance.
nor his material. I covet, for instance, our LP's of his Beethoven 9th Bayreuth (although earlier BPO is supposedly even better), much of his other Beethoven, his Hadyn 88/Schumann 4th DG or even Heliodor, his Menuhin Beethoven VC, etc. and so on. But, the OP asked for good or better sound and performances and "top 5."Your standard of sound is not what he asked for. I don't care about lousy or aged sound with great music, either. The CD's of 30's and 40's material are difficult to listen to but otherwise from 40's on I can usually enjoy. So I agree with you and thanks for the tips.
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