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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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vindanpar
58 posts
 
A bit off the beaten path-

Agon-Stravinsky(demonstration disc for me)

The Four Temperaments-Hindemith

Both available in wonderful performances in wonderful sound on the 2 disc Balanchine set conducted by Robert Irving. 

For great symphonic works in wonderful sound the Decca Karajan box is a must have. Includes one of the greatest Planets.

Surprised nobody has mentioned yet Barbirolli's Sibelius Second on Chesky or Testament.

And of course Paray's Saints Saens 3rd on Mercury. How does anyone live without this recording? 


rvpiano's avatar
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rvpiano OP
2,669 posts
 
+1 to Barbirolli’s Sibelius 2nd and especially to Paray’s  Saint-Saens 3rd
rotarius
431 posts
 
I'll start with a masterpiece with great sonics.  Dvorak's 7th - Ivan Fischer
https://www.channelclassics.com/catalogue/30010-Dvorak-Symphony-No-7-in-D-Minor-Suite-in-A-Major/


rotarius
431 posts
 
My wife and my mom don't listen to classical but love Brahms sym no. 4.
Carlos Kleiber's recording generates the most adrenaline.  Haitink/Concertgebouw from the 70's is super duper in my book.  
Honorable mention goes to Bohm/Vienna.

schubert
7,386 posts
 
Amen to the vinyl Barbirolli’s Sibelius 2 . I have the album cover in a frame on my wall .

For refined folks in other aspects of life the piece I sometimes recommend as a start is Mozart’s Symphony # 39 , very lyrical and gentle with fantastic clarinet work, as sunny as a day in May .
Best one I have is Sir Charles Mackerras with the Prague Chamber Orch.
Telac CD80148 ,also has Symp.#36 I buy anything Sir Mac does period .

Mozart any lover of classical should have.
Sym.#38 " Prague ". one of his very best + 40 and 41.
Eine Klleine Nachtmusic K. 525
Piano Concertos 9,20,21and 24.
Violin Con 3+5
Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola K.364
Clarinet Quintet K.581
Clarinet Concerto K.622
Requiem in D Minor, one I like a lot is Stattskapella Dresden under Peter Schreier , both for performance and sound

And everything else he ever wrote .
More to discover