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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
gdnrbob
4,422 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
4,422 posts
 
@jmpsmash,
Thanks for recommending Wranitsky. I never heard of him before your post.


gdnrbob
4,422 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
2,516 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.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 

I was actually introduced via the Second; the classic Solti Chicago SO on vinyl is imprinted on my teenage memory patterns.  After I got to know all ten, it just seems to me that the Fourth captures a lot of the mature Mahler and is at the same time highly approachable.

I agree that the First is also approachable, but parts of it still sound a little as if written by a Mahler still learning the craft.

I have multiple, multiple recordings of all except of 7 and 8--one each I think.  I never even remotely warmed to 8.  7 I never understood, and apparently I still don't.  To me it just doesn't seem to move beyond anything that he achieved in 2, 3, 5, 6.  Kind of drab or not really knowing where it's going.  He's back on form in a big way in 9.  And there are some excellent completions of 10.

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