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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
2,714 posts
 
Speaking of Mahler, although I have both the early (Sony) and late (DG) sets of Bernstein’s renderings of the symphonies, for some reason have avoided listening to them lately.
 I just recently selected the DG set to listen to again and WOW! What wonderful interpretations. The sound is first rate as well. I guess I took for granted they would be great, but hearing them again I’m more impressed than ever.
 I highly recommend this set as a great introduction for the novice.
 I’ll return to the earlier Sony set when I’m finished with the DG set for comparison.
gdnrbob
4,469 posts
 
@rvpiano,
I got into Mahler through the 1st symphony, then the 6th (which you know) then the 7th, Lied von die Erde last. I never warmed to the 4th.
I know Bernstein was supposed to be a great interpreter of Mahler, but I never cared for his renditions. I guess I was stuck on Bruno Walter- those CBS Masterwork recordings were discounted heavily in the old Barnes and Noble in Manhattan. $1.99, if I recall.
Just me, I suppose...
@twoleftears ,
I suggest listening to Pascal Roge's Saint Saens recordings. One of my favorite.
Bob
gdnrbob
4,469 posts
 
@jmpsmash,
Thanks for recommending Wranitsky. I never heard of him before your post.


gdnrbob
4,469 posts
 
I just found another composer I never knew existed:
Woldemar Bargiel.
It seems he was step brother to Clara Schumann. Wikipedia posts that they became close and Clara tried hard to get his music recognized.
A little nepotism never hurts...
Nevertheless, he seems to have very good structure and is very listenable. A bit of Mendelssohn, a bit of Schumann- nice.
B
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,714 posts
 
Gdnrbob,

  I’m impressed you got to know the 7th so early.
It took me years to crack it.  But now that I did, I love it.
 I think most people (including me) were introduced to Mahler through the First Symphony.
More to discover