Jeff Grossman wrote:

>Hello, everyone.  I was hoping that I could get some thoughts from the list
>about a generally good set of the Beethoven symphonies.  I bought a cheap
>set a few years ago, but I'm now at the point where the interpretations and
>quality of the set consistently disappoint me.  I want to get a full-priced
>set, but there are so many options, I have no idea which to choose.

There is no need to go full price to get quality.  This equation (big
bucks=good tunes) has baffled me for years.  There are, IMHO, four sets
that are very worthy.  Three of the four are budget priced.  They are:

Karajan/Berlin 1962
Szell/Cleveland
Zinnmann/Tonnhalle
Harnoncourt/COE

Only one of theses is more than 40 or so dollars for the whole shebang.

Good luck!

Kevin