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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.


rvpiano
sevs
301 posts
 
@twoleftears "String Paths" by Tabakova is amazing, I am listening to it thru Tidal now but CD is already ordered. My first impression: "guilty pleasures"!! Can't wait to give it a proper spin thru my stereo. CD itself will be placed between Vasks and Gorecki, to give Peteris Vasks some rest ;-)
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,820 posts
 
Schubert,

The Franck Violin Sonata et al finally arrived.
I had almost forgotten how beautiful this piece is. The performance by Chung and Lupu is lush and luscious, especially the first movement. Never heard it played so sensitively. The Debussy and Chausson are a nice addition.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,820 posts
 
Newbee,

I had to order from Europe, but finally obtained the Grechaninov disc.
”Snowflakes” is delightful  I also love “Missa Sancti Spiritus.”
I haven’t listened to the symphony yet, but will.
Thanks for the recommendation!
schubert
7,386 posts
 
You made my day rvpiano .
The Frank has always been a favorite of mine , usually have 3-4 different renditions .
I remember the first time I heard this one thinking "so that’s how you do it" !
And I had heard great artists , Menuhin and his sister, do it live .As you
no doubt know, Chung has had many health problems , her technique is nowhere as good as it once was, but hearing her live recently was a masterclass.Still a magnificent musician and damn the technique .
Lupu is Lupu . Like Liszt was Lizst .

P.S. I hope you haven’t forgotten how fine his String Quartet in D is .
Used to have a killer version of that by the Fitzwilliam Qt. on Decca .
 It surely must be one of the hardest Qt's to play in the rep, about like late  LvB .


newbee
4,817 posts
 
rvpiano, Glad you enjoyed Grechaninov. I think few people have heard this music, too bad. :-)

Now for something else that I consider absolutely delightful. Debussy's La Boite a Joujoux  and Rossini/ Respighi's La Boutique Fantasique. Toy boxes and toy shops.
The former I have on a CD by Tortelier and the Ulster Orchestra (with Ravel's Me Mere l'Oye - Mother Goose ballet) on Chandos, and the latter on a Telarc CD with Rachmaninoff/Respighi's Cinq Etudes-Tableaux as a disc mate.

Now for something a tad more contemporary, but both tonal and very assessible as well as engaging - Menotti. A compilation of his works on a Chandos CD by Richard Hickox and the Spotelo Festival Orchestra. I discovered Menotti on another disc which contains Sebastian and Amahl and the Night Visitors (as well as Samuel Barber's Souvenirs ballet suite). A Koch CD. Also an excellent recording which I've loved for over 25 years.

Hope some of this works for you.
More to discover