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Classical Music for Aficionados

I would like to start a thread, similar to Orpheus’ jazz site, for lovers of classical music.
I will list some of my favorite recordings, CDs as well as LP’s. While good sound is not a prime requisite, it will be a consideration.
  Classical music lovers please feel free to add to my lists.
Discussion of musical and recording issues will be welcome.

I’ll start with a list of CDs.  Records to follow in a later post.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique.  Chesky  — Royal Phil. Orch.  Freccia, conductor.
Mahler:  Des Knaben Wunderhorn.  Vanguard Classics — Vienna Festival Orch. Prohaska, conductor.
Prokofiev:  Scythian Suite et. al.  DG  — Chicago Symphony  Abbado, conductor.
Brahms: Symphony #1.  Chesky — London Symph. Orch.  Horenstein, conductor.
Stravinsky: L’Histoire du Soldat. HDTT — Ars Nova.  Mandell, conductor.
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances. Analogue Productions. — Dallas Symph Orch. Johanos, cond.
Respighi: Roman Festivals et. al. Chesky — Royal Phil. Orch. Freccia, conductor.

All of the above happen to be great sounding recordings, but, as I said, sonics is not a prerequisite.


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rvpiano OP
2,669 posts
 
Just listening to three symphonies (35,36,38) by the miracle that is Mozart.
Whereas, arguably, Haydn may be the better symphonist, and unarguably, Mozart’s piano concertos are more inspired, his symphonies are gems of creation, perhaps with a greater divine spark than are Haydn’s, although not as clever.
How do you feel?
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I love Mozart because to my ear after any of his works it seems every note could not be anything or anywhere else .A musical law of gravity
so to speak .

I have always thought Haydn was fully his equal but because the seams show at times he is seen as a great composer but not quite up to Mozart .
In fact in his religious music , notably " The Creation ", the more pious Haydn
IMO outshines Mozart .

To me they are just the opposite side of one of God’s coins .Their true friendship is witness .
gdnrbob
4,452 posts
 
The six Hayden Quartets are amazing. Mozart really had him down.
 
Technically, Hayden was a master. Mozart, no slouch either, had the gift of melody(-think Eine Kleine Nachtmusik). 
I always wonder why Haydn couldn't write piano concertos as good as Mozart? His horn concerto is unbelievable.

B
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

OK, so the natural "progression" (backwards) from Mahler is to Bruckner.  Over the years, here's what I've acquired based on a whole variety of recommendations.

#0: Chailly, RSO Berlin

#1: Sawallisch, Bayerisches Staatsorchester

#2: Solti, Chicago SO

#3 [first version]: Inbal, Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt

#4: Jochum, Berlin PO

#5: Haitink, Vienna PO

#6: Klemperer, New Philharmonia O

#7: Inbal, R-S-0 F

#8: Chailly, RSO Berlin; Haitink, Concertgebouw; Ballot, Oberosterreichisches Jugendsinfornieorchester

#9: Walter, Columbia SO; Giulini, Vienna PO; [completed version] Schaller, Philharmonie Festiva

Number of CDs clearly reflects preferences among the ten.

I've heard Celibidache in concert, and am surprised to find I don't have any recordings of his.  What the "best" interpretation of any of these that I'm missing?

schubert
7,386 posts
 
 Haydn had a great feel for melody.
Check out his Op. 71 Quartets,  the "Emperor" in particular , as achingly beautiful melodies as ever were written . Or his Lark" Op .64(No.5) which along with No.6 are to die for .

toleftears;

            To start with , Bruckner 8  /Gunter Wand/ Berlin Phil . on RCA
Absolutely fabulous with a German Conductor the Germans hold in high esteem.
Wand did perhaps an even better 8 with the North German RSO on RCA .
Never can make up mind and don't try very hard .

















the


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