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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.


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kef_lover
29 posts
 
jcazador and rvpiano,

I saw Pogorelich twice. The first time he played the Prokofiev PC #3. He made the piece look ridiculously easy and looked bored as he walked onstage and as he left. He played the piece with consummate authority.

The second time was a recital that included the Don Juan Fantasy. It was stunning to say the least. He is a remarkable musician who definitely goes his own way. Among other recordings of his that I enjoy are his Beethoven Op. 111, Bach, Prokofiev and Chopin Etudes. All these recordings are on DG.
kef_lover
29 posts
 
I also attended several sessions of the inaugural Ivo Pogorelich Piano Competition in Pasadena, California some 20 years or so ago. I actually got to meet him there, shook his hand and had him sign a commemorative poster of the event, which now sits framed on a wall where I live. He was quite pleasant. The competition attracted many outstanding pianists from all around the globe. I'm uncertain as to whether there was another competition subsequent to that one.
rvpiano's avatar
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rvpiano OP
2,666 posts
 
For Schumann lovers out there,  there’s a remarkable set of his symphonies on the Audite label, with the great oboist Heinz Holliger as conductor.
i have many versions of the symphonies but this is, by far, the best, musically and sonically.  Highly recommended!
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Well, that's me all right. I'll be on that !
 Heinz Holliger was the greatest player , on any instrument , I have ever seen live .
The best Schumann symphony I ever heard live was the "Rhenish"
with Masur / Gewandhaus at home base .

I never thought the DG set with Gardiner/ORR  would ever be surpassed
but would be glad to  be wrong .


 
newbee
4,767 posts
 
A couple of recording that I think worth mentioning in case someone is looking for something rarely heard but in both cases are very accessible neo-romantic music typically released by Chandos. I'm glad to have them in my collection.

Symphony #2 by Randall Thompson (and other works by George Chadwick) Neeme Jarvi and the Detroit SO. Beautiful American symphonic music all. Chandos 9439.

Kara Karayev - various symphonic works - highly influenced (I think) by the major Russian composers of the late 19th and early 20th century  very engaging and very Russian. Chandos 5203. 


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