Brahms: 4 Symphonies

Everyone seems to agree that this mono Brahms cycle is one of the great ones, and the only question that really matters is a personal one: can you put up with decent mono sound, or must you have stereo (or to go a step further, digital?). The matter is further complicated by the fact that Eugen Jochum rerecorded this music in fine stereo for EMI, and those performances are also available on two twofers, for about one and a half times the price of this set. It's your call, but by all means do sample this marvelous conductor's inspired way with Brahms. --David Hurwitz