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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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twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

Here's a vote for Rachel Podger, she's quite well established now but I heard her years ago and remember thinking then that she was going places.  I have a few CDs by her, and they never fail to please.

Today's recommendation: Corelli, Violin Sonatas, Op. 5, Avison Ensemble on Linn, 2 CDs.

vindanpar
58 posts
 
Surprised there is no love for Glenn Gould here.
But I'll throw in some must haves.
Goldbergs '81 analog not digital version
Music of the Renaissance and Baroque 2 cd set

Also what on vinyl was considered a demonstration disc(try and find one!) Cluytens  Debussy's Jeux

And I happen to be a big fan of Baroque played with high cholesterol style rather than on blood thinner so I'll add Vivaldi's L'Estro Armonico by the Berlin Philharmonic. Often making music is very different from academic archeology. And let's face it no one will ever know what contemporaries of the early music and baroque composers really heard. Though it is fun to speculate. But not too much.

rvpiano's avatar
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rvpiano OP
2,666 posts
 
Lots of love for Glenn Gould here.  One of the great musical minds of the 20th century.  And, what a pianist!!!
Also a big fan of Jeux.  A masterpiece.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
There may be a case for early music but by Baroque era it is pretty well known what was what in instruments,and you can hear them today .
My self, I don’t pay much attention to those who say Bach etc would have used this or that modern instrument had it existed in favor of what he did write for those who did exist .
As always to each his own .
craigl59
307 posts
 

Dag Wiren: Symphonies 2,3, Overtures by Norrkoping SO/Dausgaard. A CPO release.

Wiren was a Swedish figure (1905-86) sometimes cited as a Nielsen disciple during his lifetime. The 2 symphonies here are very different but the 3rd symphony (1944) is composed of recurring motives, ostinato accompaniments, and limited harmonic motion.

As such, it sounds proto-minimalist in style and you can almost hear Glass waiting in the wings. Play it loud on a good audio system.

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