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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
kef_lover
29 posts
 
I have the LPs of these recordings too. The only exception is the Archduke Trio, which I have on  Sine Qua Non cassette and CD. The Horowitz CD comes from 2 LPs which I also have. And I agree, the sound quality of these LPs is uniformly outstanding. The Rite of Spring and Firebird recordings are digital, while the rest are analog.

I find the Dorati Rite on London to be the most "lyrical" recording of the piece that I've heard while lacking none of its savagery, and I've come to prefer it to the other performances I've heard. The only one that even comes close for me in that regard is the Leibowitz on RCA from a Readers Digest set.

The von Dohnanyi/VPO Firebird is very rarely mentioned, yet for me it beats out all the others because of it's flow and continuity, not to mention the incredible virtuosity of the VPO. I'm always left shaking my head at the genius of Stravinsky's orchestration.

schubert
7,386 posts
 
I have 4 of the last 5 you mentioned kef lover (-the Archduke).
The Bloch/Hanson/ Mercury is my favorite but all 4 are winners .
P.S. I used KEF's for over 20 years .

 One of the composers I have appreciated more and more in my old age is Ravel , and would hate to be without the Munch/BSO as well .
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,760 posts
 
The Dorati “Rite” is also my favorite of the dozen or so recordings of it I own.
Has been for many years. I had the digital LP before the CD was released.
Wonderful sound for early digital, I believe recorded on a sound stage.
kef_lover
29 posts
 
I just realized that the Brahms 2 with Ashkenazy/Haitink is digital too.

I thought of a couple more favorite Dorati recordings on Mercury:

Bartok Miraculous Mandarin complete ballet BBC (the LP needs to be an RFR stamper, not an M)

Dvorak Sym. #7 LSO (tough to find, not the orange label)

Tchaikovsky Sym. #5 LSO

And a few more RCAs:

Sibelius Sym. #2 Monteux/LSO

Mendelssohn Midsummer Night’s Dream excerpts Monteux VPO ( only low level sections have good sound) from Victrola series

Wagner Tannhauser Overture, Magic Fire Music, etc. Munch/BSO, also Victrola

Just curious. Any different favorite performances of the pieces I’ve mentioned? I’d be interested.
kef_lover
29 posts
 
By the way Schubert, I still have the KEF 101s I bought in the early '80s. They have been modified and upgraded and are shockingly good, even when compared to today's high end mini monitors.
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