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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.


128x128rvpiano
newbee
4,775 posts
 
Learsfool, +1. "I'm not an anti-semite, some of my best friends are Jews." A more common apologist's self serving statement perhaps, but it must be hard to love Germany and its occupants and not say something.

 I recently watched a program involving Daniels Barenboim's efforts in trying to find accord between Palestinians and Israels through the use of music involving artists with stereotypical political beliefs.  A dissonant  Jew, I think not. And FWIW Wagner is now performed in Israel. Go figure!

But, FWIW, the use of critical analysis is not a prerequisite to forming or expressing a personal opinion, whether we like it or not.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,688 posts
 
Learsfool,

In my research I found the overwhelming evidence and opinion is that Bach, NOT Handel was the main Baroque influence.
It was said that when a new edition of the Bach Gesselschaft (just being compiled at the time) came to him, he would eagerly pour over it.  But when a new Handel tome came he said he would “get to it later.”
In concerts, Brahms as choral conductor profusely included Bach in programs.
Handel was scarcely to be found.
The so called “fire and fury,” (mentioned by Baroque writers)  of the Vivaldi-Bach concerto style is to be found often in Brahms style. Not so, the more sedate Corelli-Handel concerto grosso style.
As mentioned, Brahms would improvise on the piano and organ for hours in the manner of Bach organ writing.
Indeed his final opus contained chorale preludes in homage to Bach.

I can see where a cursory opinion might be formed regarding Handel.
After all, he did write “Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel.”
But the consensus among scholars is that Bach is the man.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,688 posts
 
I know that the subject of Wagner can be a very volatile  one.
If one associates Wagner with Nazism it is inevitable to have a reaction.
 I, personally, feel that we have to dissociate the music from the man.
 I know music does not exist in isolation.  It is intensely human.
But, even though I’m a non-believer, I still think music comes from a higher place.
It exists on a different plane.  It’s as though it’s channeled through people and to people on a different level.
 People are ephemeral, music is forever.

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The only one who ever associated Wagner with Nazis was Hitler. Hel-loo!
craigl59
307 posts
 

Let's move on. I suggest a competition.

Who can identify the most beautiful horn solo in the orchestral repertoire? We can all suggest our favorites and learsfool will judge the winner.

Am suggesting this because I just got a new recording of the Tchaikovsky symphonies and was reminded of the horn solo in the 5th symphony, beginning of the 2nd movement. My bid for the most beautiful -- not the longest or hardest, but most beautiful. Doesn't hurt that the rest of this movement is spectacular with one of the great string crescendos of all time and the unexpected sfz brass attack toward the end that thrills.

So you pundits can outdo me with ease. What's your favorite for the most beautiful horn solo? Got to be a solo, Got to be an orchestral passage.

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