Herbert von Karajan Beethoven: The Nine Symphonies

Herbert von Karajan Beethoven: The Nine Symphonies
This celebrated set, recorded in 1961-62, is generally considered the best of Herbert von Karajan's four Beethoven symphony cycles. (His cycles from the 1950s, 1970s, and 1980s are also available.) Karajan had trained the Berlin Philharmonic to produce an ultra-smooth sound -- the conductor's trademark -- yet their playing crackles with energy. The recorded sound has held up amazingly well, especially in this latest remastering. At budget price, this is a real bargain. Barnes & Noble