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
jim and jcazador

Take a listen 3 movements of Petrushka by Khatia Buniatishvili new CD Kalkeidoscope. Not many pianists attempt this piece. Pollini was the first version I heard and in my mind is the reference. But I was also moved by Khatias playing. She has an interesting interpretation of Pictures at an Exhibition here as well. Anyone know other notable recordings of petrushka? 
I believe that Buniatishvili, as she matures and gains more control, has the makings of a great pianist. Very imaginative and expressive with a truly explosive technique.
ei001h, "...other notables", you might like Louis Lorties' version of Petrushka on a Chandos CD, which includes an excellent 'LaValse'.  I have not heard Buniatishvili's version, but IMHO Lorties' version is in the  'Pollini class'. But then I really do like Lorties' work in general, and particularly in Chopin and Liszt. YMMV.
Ginette Doyen, as good as it ever got
Listening to her Mendelssohn Song Without Words
Also recommend her complete Faure and her French Piano School
(Indy, Magnard, Severac, Causson, Ropartz, Roussel)
Still looking for her Chopin Ballades, Saint-Saens and Chabrier
can be heard here:
https://www.forte-piano-pianissimo.com/Ginette-Doyen.html



Here is something for the adventurous and or completest collector of Tchaikovsky's music for solo piano.

 "Complete works for solo piano" performed by Valentina Lisitsa  on a new Decca issue. A 10 CD set for $32 on Anazon. Most of this is music I've never heard at all or in this form (except for the most common ones). Interesting at worst and some (so far) is quite good. Good recording quality and certainly worth having. It will really take a long time for me to get thru it all in any meaningful way.