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
Beethoven & Mozart

BEETHOVEN & MOZART VIOLIN CONCERTOS 

Nigel Kennedy (violin)
Polish Chamber Orchestra
Nigel Kennedy
EMI 2007

Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Op. 61

 I. Allegro ma non troppo (Cadenza by Kreisler)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpIGVkGqDv0

 II. Larghetto (Cadenza by Kennedy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB2aL5K8NdQ

III. Rondo (Allegro) (Cadenza by Kennedy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GphhANFLv2o

Cheers





Beethoven & Mozart

BEETHOVEN & MOZART VIOLIN CONCERTOS

Nigel Kennedy (violin)
Polish Chamber Orchestra
Nigel Kennedy
EMI 2007

Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D  K218

I. Allegro (Cadenza by Kennedy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAHyRA8DFL4

II. Andante cantabile (Cadenza by Kennedy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QieyQKDYvc

III. Rondeau (Andante grazioso) (Cadenza by Kennedy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEWEMdZPnmg

Cheers
I assume you refer to the orchestral version?  If so:  

Jean Martinon/Orchestre de Paris.  1975, Angel/EMI.  Vol. 4 of the series “Orchestral Music of Ravel”.  Fantastic performance with excellent sonics.  There’s something about the great French orchestras playing this music that is just right.  
If you refer to the piano version, Robert Casadesus’ recording on Columbia is a must hear.  The sonics (mono) are good, but a bit “dated” by audiophile standards.  Still, amazing playing.