Classical Music for Aficionados

rvpiano, I only have two performances of 'The Bells'  - I'm intrigued by your recommendation of Askenazy on Decca. I have his other Decca recordings and have always enjoyed them, often preferring them. I'll see if I can find his version of 'The Bells'. 

Since you seem to like this type of music I have a recommendation for you -
Alexander Grechaninov, a Russian who's best music (IMHO) is his choral output. Assuming you are not familiar, but interested, I suggest you listen to his 'premier recordings' of Symphony #1, Snowflakes, and Missa Sancti Spiritus by Valery Polyansky with the Russian State Symphonic Cappella and the Russian State SO on Chandos. I'd buy this disc for "Snowflakes' alone. You've got to hear it!

Now if your interested in more Gretchaninov try his Passion Week by the Phoenix Bach Choir and the Kansas City Chorale on Chandos.

I've been plugging through the Hyperion 19C piano concerto series, with many worthy but ultimately forgettable pieces.  Last night listened to some Scharwenka concertos, that were surprisingly good.  On Collins, though I see he's on Hyperion as well.  If you're tired of Grieg, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, etc., give it a try.

Newbee,

Thanks for the recommendation.  I’ll definitely order it.
Polyansky’s  recording of “The Bells” is among the best.
One of the great musical experiences of my life was at a live concert with him conducting Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony. Truly extraordinary.

I'm very fond of Philips orchestral recordings from the 1970's, especially those recorded in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. They are a near-perfect blend of both the recording and musical arts. 

Some favorites include those with Colin Davis including the Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique and Beethoven Violin Concerto with Grumiaux, Mozart Symphonies with Joseph Krips, Haitink's Tchaikovsky symphony cycle and French music, including a disc of Bizet and classic recordings of Debussy and Ravel, among many others. 

Outside of the Concertgebouw, explore Philips' recordings of early Verdi operas with stellar casts (the young Jose Carreras for example) mostly led by Lamberto Gardelli, all in excellent sound.  Also check out Haitink's Bruckner with the Vienna Philharmonic (some in early digital that also sound very good).  Another fave is Puccini's Tosca led by Davis and his hardly noticed version of Haydn's The Seasons with the BBC Symphony.

If you're interested in a deep dive, there is a 50 CD set devoted to Philips' stereo analog years available for a bit over $2 a disc, as well as a Haitink "Symphony Edition".

On Philps, don’t forget the wonderful Haydn Symphony set by Colin Davis.
I must have seven or eight LPs from that series