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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
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.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,704 posts
 
I believe Trifonov, while very promising, has some growimg up to do.
More to discover