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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.


128x128rvpiano
sfseay's avatar
sfseay
496 posts
 
I would really like someone’s opinion here.  Last weekend I picked up a collection of classical CDs from a retired doctor and I don’t know where to start in regards to listening.  I’m a classical music neophyte.  I bought the collection for what I considered to be a good price with hopes of selling the entire collection to make a few bucks.  The collection is listed for sale on Audiogon and consists of over 800 CDs of which 99% are classical.

Now im thinking there may be some diamonds in the collection I should listen to.

Could somebody help a brother out and give me a quick assessment of what I have? I am starting to come to the conclusion  that buying  these as a collection to resell might have been a mistake. 

I took the the time to enter all info on each CD (using barcode scan, catalog number and manual entry) and  have posted a link to the collection in the Audiogon listing.  The collection is listed on Discogs here - https://cloud.collectorz.com/sfseay/music.

Hopefully a kind soul here will give me an honest opinion of this collection.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Many/most of the CD’s are excellent recordings of great music . The Doc had VERY good taste !

Given that classical music has many different genres within itself I would think you would make more selling one at a time . Few people like all kinds.
One the other hand the market for classical is small and getting smaller and
that might take a long time .
You can just grab a CD and start listening, there are no rules . Most people I know started with Symphonies and moved to
solo piano, string quartets etc. Some do the opposite .
Religious people are often drawn to choir music of a religious bent . IMO the best composers to start with are Mozart, Schubert, Bach , Beethoven ,Tchaikovsky and Monteverdi . If you like solo piano Chopin and Schumann.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
If I didn't make it clear the collection is top-notch !
I'd sit on it awhile and see if I get a bite.
If not you can always sell them one at a time .
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,454 posts
 
I agree with Schubert.  The doctor had very eclectic, excellent taste.
I think that it would be difficult and not very helpful for us to start picking choices for you.
That would be our taste. You should develop your own taste.

Schubert has some very good guidelines above.
Start with the more well known composers.
In my experience, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Vivaldi appeal to neophytes most.  The doctor’s taste was quite far reaching, so you might find other composers that appeal to you.
It can be an exciting venture of discovery for you.

Have fun!
sfseay's avatar
sfseay
496 posts
 
Thanks to all you guys for the feedback!  This really helps to let me know what I have.  Again, I really appreciate all the responses.

Happy new year!!!
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