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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
 
Jim,

The main situation with me is that, digitally I have many thousands of CD’s that sound great with my DAC.  Also, almost as many records (that sound even better.) So most of my listening is not from streaming. I still buy CD’s even though the same content is available online because I like the way they sound with my DAC.
When I recover financially from expenditure of my new speakers, I’ll definitely consider a hi-res capable player.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,704 posts
 
Interestingly, I just A-B ed Qubuz and IDAGIO in the same non hi-res selection and found the IDAGIO had slightly better SQ. I don’t know why.
You can try it yourself to see if you up with the same results.
jim204
881 posts
 
Yes that's a good idea , I'll try that at the weekend and let you know how I get on.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
Revisiting Chopin/Zimerman/Giulini on DGG.  A remarkably engineered recording.  If the soundstage isn't well outside your speakers, something is wrong.  Depth is fine but not commensurate with width.  Fine performance, not quite sure about the treble range of the piano--recorded a little forward I suspect.
newbee
4,775 posts
 
Well, twoleftears, something must be wrong with my system. I get no sound beyond the boundaries of my speakers, but then I don’t expect any. You can revisit what I had to say about set up in RV’s other post on imaging wherein I talk about the ’stereo construct’. Only out of phase information can appear there, but side wall reflections are often mis- heard as primary signals. Nothing wrong with setting up your system to get that sound if that is what you really want.

About the recording itself, it is a 1979 DG after all. Not overly warm or romantic. I love the clarity of his and the orchestra in these pieces, as compared to, lets say my old favorite (on LP’s) Claudio Arrau. Neither the piano nor the orchestra dominate. I find the sound balance with the piano on left center of the stage. FWIW I have quite a few of these works but this is the only one I listen to any longer. I understand that he did a redo in 1999 of these works wherein he conducted from the piano with a Polish Orchestra which is highly regarded. These are apparently highly regarded as well even if quite different.

I’m no expert on these pieces. Perhaps RV would like to comment.
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