[jtwrace]

What is it? 

[HAL]

My favorite for both the performance and sound quality is Benjamin Zander conducting Beethoven's 5th on Telarc CD.

[jaywills]

Many like this version conducted by Carlos Kleiber:

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-5-Ludwig-van/dp/B000001GPX

Enjoy.  Cordially,

[Ronm1]

I don't have Hal's choice, but of the ones I do have Barenboim's on DVDA mlp is a fav.

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-DVD-Audio/dp/B000050IKP/ref=pd_sim_m_1

[jtwrace]

If possible please provide links.   

[etcarroll]

You do realize there is a complete classical music forum here at AC, don't you?

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=151.0

Read the 1st sticky from Tyson.

[jtwrace]

You do realize there is a complete classical music forum here at AC, don't you?

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=151.0

Read the 1st sticky from Tyson.

evidently I didn't.

[HAL]

My favorite for both the performance and sound quality is Benjamin Zander conducting Beethoven's 5th on Telarc CD.

Here is a link:
http://www.amazon.com/Sym-Op-67-Minor-Major/dp/B00001QGKJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279801032&sr=8-1

[rklein]

I am assuming by "album" you mean a CD not vinyl.  I have several recordings of this symphony(mostly in boxed sets) both in CD and vinyl, which contain all nine of Beethoven's symphonies.  Kleiber conducting The Vienna Philharmonic is certainly a great one.  Another recording to seriously consider is George Szell conducting the Cleveland Orchestra.  Szell was universally considered one of the great conductors of Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven.  If you are into great "mids" you will be hard pressed to find better woodwind (oboe, flute, clarinet, bassoon, french horns) playing than the Cleveland recording.

http://www.amazon.com/Symphonies-1-9-Overtures-Ludwig-Beethoven/dp/B000002800

http://www.amazon.com/Symphonies-2-5-Beethoven/dp/B0000027OB/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_4

Randy

[FullRangeMan]

In 2009 I bought this SACDs: (they are all hybrid CDs+SACDs)
http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/5392    DESTINY + PASTORAL

http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/4357    EROICA + EGMONT and CORIOLAN Overtures

http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/5135    EROICA + PROMETHEUS

They are all stunning recordings, but the best feature on these discs are the arrangements and regency made by Manze and DeBilly, surely a world class performance, you can not go wrong with these discs (music samples are avaliable to listen).

The playing is faultless and musically exciting on both discs,  Manze and DeBilly made refined performances, with no silly accents on symphonies, only sophistication and good taste.
Iam goosebumps just thinking in the majesty Eroica opening bars...
Happy listenings, Gustavo

P.S.: Other rare item in Beethoven SACD repertoire is the Fidelio on LSO, the cover is awfull, but great music inside.
http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/4291

[Mike Nomad]

Many like this version conducted by Carlos Kleiber:

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-5-Ludwig-van/dp/B000001GPX

Enjoy.  Cordially,

+1. Especially the SACD.

[Feanor]

Many like this version conducted by Carlos Kleiber:

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-5-Ludwig-van/dp/B000001GPX

Enjoy.  Cordially,

This is a very famous performance and justifiably so -- I won't be without it, myself.  However it is also rather eccentric.  Also, it isn't all that great sonically, neither the CD nor the SACD version.

[mfsoa]

I'm at work talking to a friend who is very knowledgable re classical music, who very much agrees with the Szell/Cleveland recc.   

-Mike

[Tyson]

Best performance of #5 is Carlos Kleiber, but sound is only average.  However, the intensity is off the scale!  I'm surprised that the instruments didn't burst into flame during this performance.

Now, for a great performance in great sound, it's less clear.  Szell is a great performance in pretty good sound.  Mackerras is a very good performance in excellent sound, as is Paavo Jarvi.  For HIP, there's Gardiner in great sound, and Immerseel, but Gardiner is the better performance, IMO.

[Mike Nomad]

Best performance of #5 is Carlos Kleiber, but sound is only average.  However, the intensity is off the scale!  I'm surprised that the instruments didn't burst into flame during this performance.

Maybe I have a defective SACD &/ player. I think the sound quality is excellent. Soundstage, definition (presence), and detail are all there. It sounds better than any vinyl or CD release I've ever heard. Maybe the performance (intense, without the typical bombast) has some sort of Jedi Mind Trick effect on me...