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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
jim204
881 posts
 
RV.I had time to do a comparison over the weekend of IDAGIO and QOBUZ streaming and I came to the conclusion that at conventional CD rates that it was swings and roundabouts , not one winning over the other. However when it came to higher rez files the Qobuz 24 / 96 files trounced the cd quality files with the higher rez having so much more air about them , also the treble was much improved on the higher rez.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,706 posts
 
“Swings and roundabouts?”
Not an American term, but I get what you mean.
Of course, I would expect the hi res files to sound better.
Maybe, some day...
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,706 posts
 
Newbee,

 I’ve just located both Zimerman performances on IDAGIO.  I’ll give them a listen and report back.
newbee
4,776 posts
 
RV, I'll look forward to your comments.

FWIW, from an audio perspective only, something I noticed last night after hearing PC 1 and posting. I listened to PC 2 - contrary to my comments about the piano appearing left of center in PC1 (which I rechecked today), in PC2 it was dead center. Additionally the over all gain seemed increased as well. ??? Go figure. Obviously they were recorded on different days, and all of the variables that might bring, or my hearing/audio system isn't up to par. 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 

Changed to Biret/Naxos for PC2, nice, more distant perspective.

I think I have Arrau also on a budget reissue.  Must check.  The way the piano floats over the orchestral accompaniment in the slow movement is delectable.

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