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
My travels down the byways of 19C pianism have led this afternoon to a couple of concert pieces by Raff.  Not going to change the world, but worth a listen...
Kurt Mazur , often gave little speeches before  down-beat with the Gewandhaus . My favorite was Schubert-Schumann -Brahms were
the greatest move forward in Germanic Music .
I would not say Holliger is the greatest Musician alive but would say nobody's any better , (bow towards Korea ) .

Who knew that Franck wrote piano concertoS?  Listening to #2 right now; very lyrical.
Just heard Helene Grimaud in her “Memories” album on IDAGIO.
A lot of very familiar pieces (and some unknown) played ravishingly.
Undoubtedly, one of the great pianists of today.
Yes indeed, love Helene Grimaud.
Her 5 cd collection (Brilliant Classics)
Water (2016)
Her collaborations with Sol Gabetta and with Mojca Erdman.
Thanks for the tip about Memories, will try to find that.
I have been listening to a lot of Lazar Berman, wow.
His Rachmaninoff of course, being Russian, but all else as well.
I never could get into the Schubert vocal pieces, something about voices.
But now listening to Berman playing Liszt transcriptions of Schubert,and they show the beauty of Schubert's melodies.
DICD 920164-5