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

@mahler123 

Sorry for the delay in answering.  Just rediscovered the thread.

Yes there is a big difference with two subwoofers.  The sound is much fuller.

The New York Times had Lang Lang record the piece but unfortunately afaik only released it on the daily NYT podcast where the podcast host blabs the whole time with the music relegated to background status.  I wonder why they bothered 

I just compared four performances of Schumann’s masterpiece, the Symphonic Etudes.   Pogorelich, Richter Rubinstein and Pollini.  The results were very enlightening. Richter and Pogorelich, though representing two different worlds of interpretation, played with electric intensity, whereas Rubinstein was very musical, calm, but still effective, although he left out several variations in this live performance.  Pollini , surprisingly, was just dull, no excitement but indeed very capable. 
 Pogorelich, was, modernistically anti-Romantic in his approach, dry, without much use of pedal, yet incredibly impressive in intensity and technique.  Richter was more in the Romantic tradition with no less virtuosity.  Both pianists were in full command of the piano.  My preference was Pogorelich.

What also impressed me is how easy it is to compare solo players with regard to interpretation.  Orchestral performances are more tricky. The way an orchestra is recorded goes a long way towards your appreciation. You may prefer one recording over another due to how the sound effects you.  Sonics can cloud your perspective.