Classical Music for Aficionados

Has anyone tried IDAGIO yet?
If so, what do you think of it?

I have just purchased a 24/96 file of the pianist Igor Levit called Alive.The quality of the recording is stunning and I have to say it is the best piano recording I have heard. It is probably not for everyone but it is definitely worth it if you want to stun your friends. It comprises reworkings of music originaly from Bach and other composers and best of all is the chaconne from Bach's Violin Partita in D Minor not in the familiar guise by Busoni but the version for left hand by Johannes Brahms. The pianist turns this piece into something magical by way of a superhuman technique and a wonderously sumptuous tone . Definitely one to try. I have been following Levit's career since he was a new generation artist with the BBC.Other discs by him are Bach Goldbergs and Partitas and Beethovens Diabelli Variations, definite treasures and I remember a memorable night at The Wigmore Hall where he played the last three sonatas byBeethoven in two concerts on the one night such was the clamour for the tickets. Brought back wonderful concerts by Claudio Arrau in the same repertoir and I can't say better than that. Also I have been listening of late to a  beautifully warm toned Harpsicord recital, François Couperin : L'art de toucher le clavecin by,  Olivier Fortin and this is one that I cam heartily recomend. The good thing about this recording is that the microphones are not right inside the instrument and allows a little bit of room for the right amount of ambience. Give them a try if you are seriously into Piano or Harpsicord.

Jim,

Thank you for the recommendations!
I will look into them.

As a sort of celebration for my obtaining new speakers (GoldenEar Triton 1’s) and to see what they can do, I played Beethoven’s 9th recorded by Sir Georg Solti with the Chicago Symphony.
 It was a magnificent experience.  I didnt realize the performance and sound was so wonderful until I heard them on the new speakers.
Both recording and speakers highly recommended!

Congratulations on the new speakers, RV. I was happy to see in one of your other threads that they’ve worked out great!

Is the Solti/Chicago 9th you referred to the 1972 recording with Burrows, Lorengar, Minton, & Talvela, that was co-engineered for Decca by the great Kenneth Wilkinson? If so, I have the two-LP Mobile Fidelity reissue of that recording, ca. early 1980s. And although somehow I haven’t listened to it in quite a few years I indeed clearly recall it as being wonderful in terms of both performance and sonics. In fact I recall that during the 1980s there were even some occasions when I used it in showrooms to audition speakers.

Congratulations once again. Best regards,
-- Al