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.


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Benjamin Grosvenor
I was searching for young pianists, and found Grosvenor.
His album "Dances" is very nice, and the finale is superb:
Bach's sonata for flute and harpsichord BWV 1031, as arranged by Kempff.
Jeremy - I love the playing of young Grosvenor, he has a lot of charm to his playing. I have a stunning Ravel - Gaspard di La Nuit that I recorded from BBC Radio 3 last year and the playing is phenoninal. He also has some super recordings also, have a look on Discogs and you will see some lovely recitals there. Jim.
jim
listening to Grosvenor's "Homage" album, outstanding!
and technically it is as good as it gets, credit Decca
Yes Jeremy he has quite an arsenal of technical ability , let's hope he never takes up the baton as I'd hate to hear that technique dissipating as it did with Ashkenazy and now I notice in hia last concert Mikhail Pletnov has lost a good bit of flexibility in his playing. What I mean is he is relying on muscle memory  which happens when you don't ge enough time to practice on your instrument . I remember Menuhin in his later years when he was spending so much time guest conducting and with his roll in Unesco his playing was awfull through lack of practice.