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
No problem at all rvpiano !The only reason I went on and on was I respect you as a musician . At one time I was part of the " family " of the second best band in Berlin
and knew well most of them . As a History Prof . I saw that their total
immersion in their craft left them with little knowledge of the society around them . Some were aware of that as Germany makes a
BIG effort to tell history like it is in a much more truthful way than we do .I talked to a lot of them about the world around as it related to them .
Some thanked me .

As I saw it musicians are like the best doctors and others in the most demanding professions . They live in a bubble, which is great for the music, but not always for them .


P.S . My buy of the Beaux Arts box was one of my better buys .That Pressler is a one-off .

elizabeth,
I’ve been sitting here trying to think of the basic difference between
elegant Mozart and pedal to the metal LvB , which is hard at my age .
.When Beethoven hits his last note one thinks " that’s how its done !!!" .
When Mozart is done one can only think "it could be done no other way ."


.
The full glory that is Martha Argerich in Tchaikovsky #1, that never sounded better than on the latest iteration of my system (hint: GIK).
I have found Miecsyslaw Weinberg somehow while scavenging on Tidal. I have enjoyed most everything I heard, especially his Concertos. 

Since I have never heard of him and only one reference on Audiogon, I was wondering why? Any thoughts on this composer?
I ran across Weinberg a couple years ago and I wondered if he is enjoyed now.  Apparently lost to Soviet history for a long time and friend but not student of Shostakovich (liner notes.)  I found the ECM disc with Kremerata Baltica/Gidon Kremer to be enjoyable.  This has Sonatas and Symphony #10 which I have to listen to again.
Meanwhile I did discover I have Mahler's First (Bernstein) so I will definitely listen this week.  I enjoyed the 6th as mentioned.  I thought I had the 9th but don't seem to find it.