Beethoven and Tchaikovsky are transcendent, but Vivaldi not so much. Yet, I get more of a kick out of Vivaldi's earthly vibrance. Being able to hear the basic instrumentation doesn't have to be less inspiring.

Television from radio seems like a leap until you hear where classical composers can take your mind when you close your eyes.

And there are so many movies that pour entire orchestras in.

Comparing old recordings to new orchestras, I'm wondering if far too clever instrument creators have boshed the whole thing by delivering rich discordant sounds that modern audiences adore. But, the entirety of orchestration was far more important than a discordant lead. Did they fluff it!?

Some of the 20s recordings were very pedestrian, but this has some class:
https://youtu.be/9hq39lpHxB8

#ClassicalMusic

Brahms: Symphony No 2 (1928) Damrosch/NYS

YouTube
Arthur Nikisch (1855-1922) conducts Beethoven's 5th Symphony in C minor, Op.67. (1913)

YouTube