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Haven't heard that one...

but I've been disappointed with the chamber orchestra versions of Beethoven I've heard.

Harnoncourt's with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe comes immediately to mind. In terms of wind/string balance, it's better than, say, Szell and the Clevelanders or Bernstein/NYP. The problem with Harnoncourt's brass players is that they slam and punch everything--their sound isn't sonorous like the Collegium Aureum brass. Also, I don't care at all for the sound of the COE's solo oboe.

Another disappointing chamber orchestra series, from the standpoint of brass sonority, is the Paavo Jarvi/Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie on RCA. More slam and punch, and the brass section isn't even as forward as on the Harnoncourt recordings. In fact, these are pretty much string-centered performances.

I keep coming back to the recent Beethoven series by Vanska/Minnesota on BIS. Even though it's Big Band Beethoven, the winds are fairly prominent. Vanska just doesn't understand the proper role of the trumpet in Beethoven, however--but then, I can't name a single conductor who does.

Admittedly, these considerations take a back seat to the overall interpretation, but they are things I do look for.

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