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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.


rvpiano
newbee
4,821 posts
 
If you haven't already, you might enjoy Berman's  performance of Liszt's 'Annes' on DG. One of the best I think, although it is hard to find a performance I don't enjoy.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,821 posts
 
Correction: The title of the Grimaud album is “Memory”. Not “Memories.”
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,821 posts
 
Spending the afternoon streaming Rachmaninoff performances as pianist.
Just finished listening to his own playing of his First Concerto.

Heaven on earth.
newbee
4,821 posts
 
Talking about Rachmaninoff doing Rachmaninoff ...

Telarc made two recordings of piano rolls performances by Rachmaninoff doing his own works for solo piano on one CD and the works of others on a second one. The CD's are titled 'A Window in Time'. Amazing works realized by Wayne Stahnke.  It is facinating that they could do this at all, let alone so well. I suspect that most listeners would, initially at least, think that these are live recordings of a real performing person (Rachmaninoff).
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,821 posts
 
Yes, I have those CDs.  They are amazing in every way.  The piano roll captured his touch and pedaling.  When I first heard the recordings, I said to a friend: “all the rest are like children.”  And I wasn’t even speaking of his legendary technique.  I was describing his phrasing and command of nuances that you can’t hear on pre-1948 acetate masterings, even with expert restoration.
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