Audiogon "RECORDINGS TO DIE FOR" list


I've been listening to some of my favorite recordings this weekend and was wondering what others on Audiogon felt were there favorites. We have all seen the Stereophile "Records to Die For", The Absolute Sounds recommended list, Music Directs' list, The Golden Ear, etc. now I'm hoping to assemble the Audiogon "Recordings To Die For". Please list your five favorite recordings, the ones you listen to over and over or play for friends. I would assume the sonic quality is excellent in that this is an audiophile site. The performance and enjoy ability should also be excellent. Please leave your top five, even if they are already chosen so we can discover the very top for the Audiogon listeners. ALSO PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CRITICIZING OTHERS OPINIONS AND JUST LEAVE YOUR FAVORITES!

August 2002: I have compiled a summary and a full printer-friendly list of all of the recommendations below.
click here to view summary
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1. Dvorak Symphony no 9. It is like discovering it for the first time, not just my choice: American Record Guide said:
“The great historical recording of this work [Dvořák] is Talich’s from the early 50s. This is as good a performance, and the sound [ ] is far superior to the Talich. It has a lightness and clarity that is amazing for its age [This disc] is worth buying for both the Dvořák and the Novák.”
—Carl Bauman, American Record Guide , July/August 2010 OCCDs CD1/2008
2. Campoli/Katin The greatest English violinist of all time and an underrated pianist. My choice and that of 'Fanfare', as quoted here:
“ I’ve never heard [Campoli’s] fabled tone (nor perhaps anyone else’s) in such vivid fidelity; a similar lushness characterizes the piano’s tone as well even if the performance didn’t flow so smoothly as it does, the recorded sound would magnify all the reading’s virtues in ratio in which many recordings diminish them.”
“At moments, Campoli’s sound could freeze a windsock in a hurricane these live performances sound communicative as well as brilliant This issue deserves to be a part of most collections Very strongly recommended.”
—Robert Maxham, Fanfare 33:4, March/April 2010 OCCDs CD3/2009
3. Brahms Symphony no 1 coupled with the Kodaly Dances of Galanta, the Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Janos Ferencsik, OCCDs CD5/2009 my thoughts were echoed by Audiophile Audition
“ a thoroughly sympathetic reading from Ferencsik The huge orchestral tuttis impress us with their singing intensity Tumultuous applause [from] a slightly hysterical mob of Londoners who thought this concert a smashing success.” [Rating ★★★★]
—Gary Lemco, Audiophile Audition, 4th November 2009
4. This Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony was awarded the prestigious 'Best Historic Recording' by the German Record Critics Association when the jury stated that 'the sound technique is sensational'. The Warsaw Philharmonic conducted by the brilliant Witold Rowicki. From OCCDs, CD12/2011.
5. Shostakovich 10th The dynamics and orchestral balance are the finest that exist. Sends a cold chill up my spine. The Prague Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vaclav Smetacek. Can your system cope, is it good enough?? OCCDs CD14/2011
You will notice that all the CDs of my choice are from the same source, Orchestral Concert Cds, in fact no matter what other recordings I hear I always return to the 'Virtual Concert Hall Series' and each time I hear the music once more it is fresh and I marvel at the natural sound with its wide dynamics and perfect balance.
Geoffrey
The poster above is promoting OCCD cds (see all posts), so be critical about his comments. I did purchase the Dvorak 9 and found while a good performance, the sound was not the equal of the best modern recordings and it also had some electronic hash in the recording.
I have about 2000 LPs. Five of my favorites are:

Steely Dan---AJA MSFL
James Taylor--JT
Beatles--Rubber Soul MSFL
Radney Foster-Labor of Love
Jazz at the Pawn Shop
the Norwegian label 2L's latest recording; ''Immortal Nystedt'' is truly remarkable.Impeccable recording quality,music is maybe a bit ''difficult'' but just like a Stravinsky composition the music gains by repeated listening, and I find it good to challenge my own perception of what music is now and then. Highly recommended. Available as a studio master download at HDtracks.
My contribution to the list:

Nine horses-Snow borne sorrow
Nine horses-Money for all
HTRK-Psychic 9-5 club
Michael Brook-Albino alligator
Michael Brook-Cobalt blue
Peace orchestra-S/T
Brendan Perry-Ark
Steve Jansen-Slope
The Embassadors-Coptic dub
Root 70-Heaps dub
V.A.-Nonplace: 10th anniversary edition
Paddy Free-Karekare: Te reo o te whenua
Einsturzende neubauten-Silence is sexy
Fabrizio De Andre'-Creuza de mä
Fabrizio De Andre'-Anime salve
Mike Figgis-Figgis on Figgis (and almost all of his albums)

I haven't mentioned Patricia Barber albums because I guess she's on the list but I have a question for those who like her music: how do you tame the basses on her recordings??
If this is not the place to discuss about this I ask the moderator to delete this question and I will start a new thread with this topic. Thanks.