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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
jim204
881 posts
 
@jcazador jeremy do forgive a stupid old man for his glaring mistake. I thought it was you who had seen Rachmaninov and I didn’t realise it was a quote from Earl Wild. again many appologies. Jim.
jcazador
417 posts
 
I never heard Rachmaninov, I was 3 years old when he died.
I had a chance to hear Richter, I was in college just a hundred miles from Carnegie Hall.  My aunt was a perennial student at Julliard, she said tickets were impossible.
The only first rank pianist I have ever heard was Ashkenazy.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
For a change from the 17C, I’ve started an Elgar survey. Kind of fascinating to go back and see what CDs I bought years and years ago, when I was guided primarily by the successive editions of the Penguin Stereo Guide and reviews in Gramophone (before it got dumbed down). Starting with Symphony #1. Surprised to find I own Handley, Judd and Marriner, rather than what I’d expected (i.e. Boult, Barbirolli or Solti).

jim204
881 posts
 
@jcazador      Hi Jeremy I have seen Ashkenazy a few times and one of the best was a Beethoven cycle in Glasgow. He was with the SNO and within a fortnight he treated us to the five Beethoven Piano concertos and the Choral fantasy. How he remembered all those notes I will never know but it was incredibly enjoyable all the same. although not what I would say my favourite pianist i think he is a very ejoyable pianist and one of the best Beethoven interpreters that I know.
jcazador
417 posts
 
My favorite Ashkenazy recording is the Shostakovich Preludes. 
Somehow his recordings are all excellent technically, which cannot be said for many other great pianists.  I don't know how that happened.
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