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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
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twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
A hearty endorsement for the O'Conor/Telarc set.  They are my go-to option.  Perhaps there are more inspired performances, but the combination of very good performance and excellent piano sound is pretty much unbeatable.  I often use them when auditioning possible new speakers.
jcazador
417 posts
 
I was just listening to John O'Connor's "autumn songs".
Very nice
And yes, I join the crowd praising his Beethoven sonatas.
Also love his John Field Nocturnes.
jim204
881 posts
 
For me my goto recordings of Beethoven sonatas are the Arrau Phillips Analogue Box Set from the sixties and seventies. These were recorded when Arrau still had a bit of devil in him, because his later digital series seem earthbound and stodgy by comparison. A great pity because the digital series are superbly recorded by Phillips.
mike_in_nc
1,163 posts
 
I like the O’Conor Beethoven sonatas, too. I also like a newer set by András Schiff on ECM. It’s been a while since I listened to them, but as I recall, the sound is typical ECM (slightly more beautiful than reality), and the performances reasonably energetic but not heart-on-sleeve. I would recommend anyone interested in this music give that set try -- it should be easy via Tidal, Qobuz, or even YouTube to see if you like them.
P.S. Jed Distler said this, on Classics Today: " In sum, Schiff’s Beethoven interpretations may not suit all tastes, yet they invariably hold your attention, challenge your assumptions, and compel you to listen with fresh ears."
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