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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
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
2,794 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.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I had 101’s as well .Also 105, 103.2 , 104, and various Q series with Tweeter in the middle , My all time favorite was 104ab .
Also had a huge pair of Brit IMF’s with fab transmission line base that used the most musical
driver line up in history , B139,110 and T-27 !  (sob !)
More to discover