Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7
Long regarded as the quintessential interpretation of the most popular  and best-loved symphony ever written, this performance of the Fifth has  everything: passion, precision, drama, lyric beauty, and a coiled fury in the  first movement that sets your pulse racing from the very first note. Carlos  Kleiber has made very few recordings in his distinguished career, but almost all  are special. If you own no other copy of this symphony, this is the one to get.  It comes with an exceptional performance of the Seventh--not quite as gripping  as the Fifth, but definitely one of the great ones. There is classical music,  and there are classic recordings of classical music. This one's a classic.-- David Hurwitz