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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
craigl59
307 posts
 
Never mind, see it on Amazon; don't type in "St." in the search query. Ordered a copy.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Thanks . I don't know , just posted right after I got my email as a SPCO
 fund  member . Will order mine tomorrow .
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,488 posts
 
This forum seems to have dried up since I was taken Ill.
Thank goodness, I’m feeling a lot better. I’d like to revive it.
I wonder if there are any Mahler lovers out there.
If so, who is your favorite Mahler conductor?
I know Horenstein is considered by many to be the non plus ultra, but I like Solti a lot, even though he’s put down by many Mahler aficionados.
Who do you like?  And for that matter, who are some of your favorite conductors in general?
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 

I've been hooked on Mahler for decades.

The first set of LPs I got were by Solti, so to a large extent I learnt them all in his interpretation, and as we all know, teenagers are impressionable, and his way has become for me in many ways the right way.

That being said, I will admit a soft spot for Bernstein.  His romantic way with the slow movements seems right--to me at least.

Then there are a number of other conductors' individual versions of symphonies that are great.

I'll pull out my favs and post a list later.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,488 posts
 
I have both the Sony and DG Bernstein/Mahler sets. I have to listen to them more often. I like Abbado for Mahler and in general.  George Szell has wonderful recordings of the 4th and the 6th, and of, course, I like him for everything else. Von Karajan is up there with Mahler. And, believe it or not, my favorite Mahler 9th is conducted by Kiril Kondrashin  with the Moscow Symphony. The aforementioned Solti is great in Mahler as well as Horenstein.
Off the top of my head, these conductors come to mind.
I’ll look through my collection and come up with more later.

btw, What’s your favorite Mahler symphony?  Mine is the 9th.  After that, it’s a toss-up.  Each is so unique and wonderful.
More to discover