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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
2,654 posts
 
As a sort of celebration for my obtaining new speakers (GoldenEar Triton 1’s) and to see what they can do, I played Beethoven’s 9th recorded by Sir Georg Solti with the Chicago Symphony.
 It was a magnificent experience.  I didnt realize the performance and sound was so wonderful until I heard them on the new speakers.
Both recording and speakers highly recommended!
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Congratulations on the new speakers, RV. I was happy to see in one of your other threads that they’ve worked out great!

Is the Solti/Chicago 9th you referred to the 1972 recording with Burrows, Lorengar, Minton, & Talvela, that was co-engineered for Decca by the great Kenneth Wilkinson? If so, I have the two-LP Mobile Fidelity reissue of that recording, ca. early 1980s. And although somehow I haven’t listened to it in quite a few years I indeed clearly recall it as being wonderful in terms of both performance and sonics. In fact I recall that during the 1980s there were even some occasions when I used it in showrooms to audition speakers.

Congratulations once again. Best regards,
-- Al
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rvpiano OP
2,654 posts
 
Al,

 Thank you much for your good wishes.
 I can’t tell you how much these speakers have exceeded my expectations. Listening to them is like being at an orchestral concert. The full spectrum of sound is there.
The Solti recording is a digital from 1986 with Norman, Runkel, Shunk and Sotin.
Surprising how well the speakers reproduce it.
 I’ll look out for the ‘72 recording to compare.

Best,

Richard
jcazador
417 posts
 
JimThanks for recommendation of Igor Levit.Have you heard "Life"?Reviewed today here The Sprawling Piano Odyssey of Igor Levit’s “Life”

By Alex Ross

https://www.newyorker.com/recommends/listen/the-sprawling-piano-odyssey-of-igor-levits-lifeI am downloading it now along with several more of his recordings.
jcazador
417 posts
 
Another review here
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/12/arts/music/igor-levit-life.html
More to discover