If I only have time to listen to one Beethoven symphony, which one should I choose? Can you recommend a good recording?
Choosing just one Beethoven symphony to listen to is a difficult task, as each of his nine symphonies is a masterpiece in its own right. However, if I had to recommend just one, I would suggest Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, also known as the Choral Symphony.

The Symphony No. 9 is a towering masterpiece that is widely regarded as one of the greatest works in the Western classical music canon. It features one of the most famous melodies in all of music, the Ode to Joy, which is sung by a full choir in the final movement. The symphony also includes a number of powerful and moving musical ideas, including the dramatic opening motive in the first movement, the hauntingly beautiful slow movement, and the triumphant finale.

In terms of a good recording, there are many excellent options to choose from. One highly regarded recording is the one by the Berlin Philharmonic under the direction of Herbert von Karajan, with soloists Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Agnes Baltsa, Peter Schreier, and José van Dam, and the Wiener Singverein. Another excellent recording is by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under the direction of Bernard Haitink, with soloists Charlotte Margiono, Catherine Robbin, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, and Robert Holl, and the Netherlands Radio Choir. Both of these recordings are widely available and highly recommended.