Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 4 & 5
Karl Böhm's Vienna Philharmonic Beethoven cycle is Deutsche  Grammophon's best kept secret. Not only is it the finest complete set of  Beethoven symphonies in their catalog, it's also far and away the best recorded,  and to make matters even more irresistible, it's also the least expensive (it's  available on three "twofer" sets). These performances are typical: weighty,  intense, powerful, and magnificently played. Listen especially to the  (comparatively) neglected Fourth Symphony: if Böhm doesn't convince you  that this is major Beethoven, then no one can.--David Hurwitz