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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
 
To me, that Nocturnes recording is one of the few most neglected recordings from Golden era RCA. It never received a Classic Records or similar audiophile reissue on LP. Same for the West Side Story and Porgy and Bess Suites with Bennett conducting, and the Wagner Munch on RCA Victrola.
kef_lover
29 posts
 
rvpiano,

I just reread an earlier post in which you describe the differences between those whose focus was listening vs. playing music, specifically piano music. I listened for many years before taking piano lessons. It took me about 5 years of lessons and intense practice as an adult to convince myself that I'd NEVER be able to produce from a piano what I was hearing in my head. Even the "easy" pieces were far beyond my ability to recreate them as I wished, and only served to demonstrate that there really are no easy pieces. They may be easy to hit all the notes, but to extract the music that lies within is another matter altogether. Humbling.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,513 posts
 
kef-lover,

i hear much much more in the recording now than I heard before.
my opinion still is that it is gorgeous .
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,513 posts
 
kef-lover,

I couldn’t agree with you more.
First of all, I can tell you from my years of experience teaching, it’s just about all but impossible for even the most intelligent and musical adult to take up the piano and be able to fluently play it.  You are to be congratulated for trying such a difficult task.  And yes, even if you get the notes, the mastery needed for extracting the music is daunting.
It can be a very frustrating experience, but if you enjoy it, it’s worth the effort just to see how the music works.
kef_lover
29 posts
 
rvpiano, 

Yes, there is much to be said for the magical experience of having the notes under one's fingers. Kind of like walking on holy ground. Over a period of time though, my lack of ability overshadowed the experience and ultimately left me feeling overwhelmed.

As far as the Nocturnes, is there still an issue with the balance? As far as sound quality, how do you feel it stacks up against other RCAs from the period?
More to discover