Classical Music for Aficionados

Newbee,

Thanks for the recommendation.  I’ll definitely order it.
Polyansky’s  recording of “The Bells” is among the best.
One of the great musical experiences of my life was at a live concert with him conducting Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony. Truly extraordinary.

I'm very fond of Philips orchestral recordings from the 1970's, especially those recorded in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. They are a near-perfect blend of both the recording and musical arts. 

Some favorites include those with Colin Davis including the Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique and Beethoven Violin Concerto with Grumiaux, Mozart Symphonies with Joseph Krips, Haitink's Tchaikovsky symphony cycle and French music, including a disc of Bizet and classic recordings of Debussy and Ravel, among many others. 

Outside of the Concertgebouw, explore Philips' recordings of early Verdi operas with stellar casts (the young Jose Carreras for example) mostly led by Lamberto Gardelli, all in excellent sound.  Also check out Haitink's Bruckner with the Vienna Philharmonic (some in early digital that also sound very good).  Another fave is Puccini's Tosca led by Davis and his hardly noticed version of Haydn's The Seasons with the BBC Symphony.

If you're interested in a deep dive, there is a 50 CD set devoted to Philips' stereo analog years available for a bit over $2 a disc, as well as a Haitink "Symphony Edition".

On Philps, don’t forget the wonderful Haydn Symphony set by Colin Davis.
I must have seven or eight LPs from that series 

Scheherezade - Kiril Kondrashin ....takes you on a magic carpet !

This is a good opportunity to say it again--there's no better bargain than the 60 disc box set of the Beaux Artes Trio commemorating their 60th anniversary.  You can find it for around 100 dollars on ebay.  It will give you a life time of great listening.