The magazine was indeed Hi/Fi Stereo Review and the author of the series
was the ubiquitous Martin Bookspan.  I recall reading my first issue (when
I was a mere child, of course) in 1961 and purchasing Mr.  Bookspan's
preferred Brahms Fourth in mono, the Toscanini/NBC.  It's still one of my
top choices.  If memory serves correct, Mr.  B.  chose separate mono and
stereo recordings as recommendations.  Was the Klemperer/Philharmonia the
stereo choice? In any case, this list is long out of date.  (I wonder how
Mr.  Bookspan would rate the two Celibidache series on EMI and DG.  In an
email to me a few years back, Mr.  B.  described Celi as "a snake oil
salesman." Imagine.  That ended out conversations.) Today, the Gramophone
list is a good starting point.

"Rodney DeCecco" <[log in to unmask]>