He’d like to get a nice, complete set of Beethoven’s nine symphonies for his collection. He’s looking for something recorded or remastered to DDD standards. He’d probably be willing to spend up to $150 or so, so imported $500 sets from Finland or whatever would be a little much. We live in NY so he’d probably be able to get whatever is suggested.
He already has the Toscaninis on vinyl so he’d like something different. He has no preference as to artists but he would like somebody who conveys the power of the music without being ponderous about it–he likes crisp, clear passages when appropriate.
Amazon has the Bruno Walter recordings of all nine symphonies on CD for about $34. These are some of the best and most highly rated of recordings of Beethoven’s music. They were recorded in the late 50s/early 60s. I have the record set and have recorded them to CD.
I hate to add a fourth option, but investigate Solti’s second complete series, made with Chicago Symphony through the nineties. These are widely regarded as just about the best recordings ever made, with the world’s greatest conductor at that time, and the world’s greatest symphony at that time. There are so many different recordings out there, but Solti’s with CSO is the closest I’ve ever found to a consensus.
I’ve always been fond of the CSO version Solti did in the 70s, but of course this was well before the digital era.
And if your dad likes original instruments/tempos (which he might, based on what you’ve said), Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music have a fine set from the mid to late 80s.
I second the Gardiner and Karajan sets.
I also recommend the Abbado, Mackerras, Harnoncourt, Zinman and Bernstein (on DG) sets (Gardiner and Harnoncourt offer a lean, rhythmic, clearly attacked and articulated period performance sound your Dad seems to favor). In truth, ANY of these sets will offer your Dad years of listening pleasure and refreshment.
Since you live in NYC, I STRONGLY recommend your Dad visit Academy Records on 18th St. b/w 5th and 6th. Aves. This incredible store sells used CDs (including a huge array of classical) in absolutely tip-top condition for 1/2 to 1/3 to what you'd pay at Tower or Virgin ( I just checked my own collection and saw that I paid $40.00 for the Bernstein set and $22.00 for the Harnoncourt!!) Since their turnover is constant, prices change daily and, depending on your luck and what's on the shelves, you can walk out of the store with simply astounding bargains. Since I discovered Academy about 8 years ago, I no longer buy CDs anywhere else in the city because, sooner or later, EVERYTHING comes through Academy!