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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
ei001h
290 posts
 
Has anyone heard Denis Matsuev? I personally think he's the best all around concert pianist currently in the world and has been for at least past 5 years. Just curious what others think. He's recorded most of the Russian piano masterpiece repertoire. I think his recordings are a perfect gateway into all major Russian masterpieces. Everything available on Tidal. Most impressive works: (all available on tidal with superb sound quality as versions of SACD)

Prokofiev piano concerto no 2, easily bests everything out there including Michel Beroff, Toradze, Horacio Gutierrez, Vladimir Krainev etc. Listen to that Cadenza in first movement, mesmerizing. 

Tchaikovsky piano Concerto 1 and 2. His second concerto is less well known and played, Matsuev kills it. 

Shostakovich piano concerto 1 and 2. Not very profound pieces, yet he squeezes everything he can out of them. 

Prokofiev PC no 3, right up there with all the best imo. 

Rach 2 and 3 excellent. Check out youtube versions. First movement cadenza at 10:10 is one of my favorites. Few versions on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRYSuGQfiqE&t=682s

thoughts? 
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,704 posts
 
Yes, Matsuev, the “Siberian Bear” as he’s sometimes called, is a formidable player, especially of Russian music.  He’s actually a weight lifter and body builder, as his powerful playing attests to.
A female version of him, I believe, is Khatia Buniatishvili.  Also a very powerful pianist with a brilliant technique.
Listen to her very original rendering of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition or Ravel’s La Valse either on disc or streaming service for a real treat.
Highly recommended.
jim204
881 posts
 
Has anyone heard the new disc from Arkady Volodos of the late Brahms works. Beautiful playing and recording.
My favourite Trifonov discs are Liszt Transcendental Etudes and Paganinni Etudes. Stunning playing and very mature playing also from one so young.He has also just released Rachmaninov Piano Concertos no's 2 and 4.Superb playing and piano tone .
jim204
881 posts
 
I'm so sorry you guy's didn't like the playing on Levit's new disc as I really did like it. You know that it was a tribute to his best friend who had died and maybe that explains some of the hesitant playing. I'm also sure you know that the Brahm's arranged Chaconne was for the left hand alone and that may be producing the stilted effect. I must admit I greatly prefer the Busoni arrangement of the same work this time for two hands as the piano can now portray more of the work without that hellish jumping about everywhere. I have seen that piece played twice live, Pletnev and Kissin and both electrifying performances .
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,704 posts
 
Volodos is, to my mind, the most impressive technically of pianists today, the modern day Horowitz. Others may be impressive, but he combines absolute mastery of the keyboard with great taste.  Lately, he’s eschewed the virtuoso fare and demonstrated he’s also a very probing musician.  The Brahms disc is beautifully rendered.
Pletnev is also one of my favorite current day keyboard masters.
More to discover