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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
kef_lover
29 posts
 
Schubert,

Bjorling was my father’s favorite tenor, and he was an opera singer himself. Bjorling’s voice was like wallpaper as I was growing up. Quite a story how you heard him first in Vietnam. As the years went on, Franco Corelli displaced him as my father’s favorite, though Bjorling and Domingo were still played very often. By the time I was in my 30s, my love of orchestral music had grown on my father and he only  listened to opera occasionally after that.
pryso
1,956 posts
 
schubert and kef, I didn't "get into" classical music until college, but that did not include opera.  Over the years a few friends were opera buffs so I was exposed to it.  I then developed some enjoyment for the music itself and added several opera overture recordings to my collection.  But I still didn't care for most of the singing.

Then a couple of decades ago I happened upon an RCA CD, "Opera Goes to the Movies".  As you might guess, that included arias by several well known singers which had been used in movie soundtracks.  One of those was Bjorling performing "Nessun Dorma".  That still gives me chills whenever I listen so obviously he became a favorite.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 

@rvpiano Didn't you get a Belles amp that you liked?  I thought that worked out OK.  I'm already anticipating the release of the new integrated, the Belles Virtuoso.

Took up clarinet at age 11.  Played in all sorts of school orchestras (very musical school).  Nothing like experiencing it "from the inside".  Continued on in scratch bands through college.  Friend at high school--father had a "fancy" stereo for back then, expensive Garrard deck, etc. etc., played me Mahler for the first time.  A revelation.  Soon after heard a series of broadcasts of Bernstein performances.  Though by then I'd already started collecting Solti on Decca.

Although my first love is late Romantic/decadent big symphonic movement, I've recently completed a thorough exploration of Stylus Fantasticus, from early Italian origins through Bohemians et al.  In many ways I find it more enjoyable than the "predictability" of the high Baroque (Bach, Handel, Telemann, Vivaldi, etc.).

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,708 posts
 
twoleftears,

I am using the Belles 350A amplifier, with which I replaced the 150A (I liked better) and, unfortunately, can’t return (a $1500 loss.). Doesn’t nearly match up to my NuForce monoblocks.  
I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with the Belles per se, but it’s a poor match for my system, most noticeably lacking in bass.  I had audio Nirvana for many years with a perfectly balanced system and am very spoiled for anything less.
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