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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.


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newbee
4,767 posts
 
Interesting! Reminds me of Shchedrin's Carmen Suite - only in that there are no (!!!) horns.  I really like that piece. There are several in print for anyone interested in a really enjoyable take on an old chestnut.
jcazador
417 posts
 
newbee
Sokolov is perhaps my favorite of all pianists now performing, have never heard him live.
I have downloaded dozens of his recordings including the two you mention.
I never tire of some of his recordings, e.g., Couperin.
Unfortunately, most of his old soviet era recordings are not commercially available, but have found them free online on a russian website.
pete23
39 posts
 
Is it my imagination or do newer release box sets seem to go out of print fairly soon? I've seen a few only a couple years old already gone from amazon except from high-priced resellers.  What do people use as a resource for upcoming releases? A long time ago I used to subscribe to BBC Music Magazine but I'm not sure what is best now.  Thanks for any advice. 

Bonus question: does anyone use a website or program to keep track of their collection? I used to use a program years ago that was discontinued but it was not very good at tracking classical if there were multiple composers and many compositions on the same disc.  So I am a few years behind in cataloging now.  Mainly looking to avoid acquiring too many duplicates of the same composition, unless a deliberate "upgrade".
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
After a major hiatus [aka work] I resumed my survey.  Right now Saint-Saens piano concerto #1.  First movement very showy, flowery, second movement didn't really seem to know where it was going.
newbee
4,767 posts
 
jcazador, I agree and for folks who want to explore on the cheap there is a 10 CD set (on Amazon) title ’Complete Recordings’ for $44. Only a couple of nits: 1) it isn’t complete; 2) These are excerpts from live performances so the recordings aren’t really SOTA but they are fine none the less. The music though is truly outstanding. And for me his Schubert 960 is transcending - hard to describe, but it is musical poetry of the highest order.

pete23, I get weekly e-mails from Presto Music in England - they are both an excellent source for classical music as well as reviews and alerts for new recordings. Prestomusic.com.

A new acquisition from Chandos that I really love. "Old American Dances" by Robert Russell Bennett. Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra by Clark Rundell. An excellent break from all the ’serious’ stuff.
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