The best recording of Copland's Appalachian Spring I have to date is a RCA Gold Seal one re-mastered (to CD) from a 1959 recording with Copland himself conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It's a nice recording for it's age, but there is a fair bit of background noise (rather more noticeable now with the CD3.5 in).

I'm looking for something a little more modern and without the hiss - any advice?

Regards
Steve

Telarc - Cincinnati Pops Orch / Kunzel. Lovely picture of a mustard field against a blue sky. Startling recording like many Telarcs, but not as OTT. Music seems excellent too - though I'm no Copland expert. contains fanfare ftcm, billy the kid, rodeo, Quiet city (gorgeous!) and app spring.

no-one interprets Copland better than Leonard Bernstein.

If its spectactacular sound is what you want try the Reference Recordings versions.