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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
jim204
881 posts
 
Hi Jeremy I had a look at Rana on your link and it is not the same performance of the Liszt Sonata as I have one from The Wigmore Hall and recorded by the BBC which is maybe not recorded as per normal standards of the up to date quallity but is perfectly acceptable. I’m afraid I recorded it onto my PC and I listen from there so it is not availlable to the public as a CD or download file.
jcazador
417 posts
 
jim
did you watch the interview?
Rana praises Martha Argerich as a "lioness".
Love it.
Also includes several performances.
jim204
881 posts
 
Rana couldn't have anyone any better than Argerich to look up to. I always remember a quip by Barenboim who was having lunch one day with Arthur Rubinstein when old Rubinstein brought up Martha Argerichs name when they were discussing pianists. Arthur said what a fabulous player she was but why did she always play so fast and Barenboim was quick to reply say ing "because she can!!" Barenboim heard a muffled whisper from Rubinstein "Touche".
jcazador
417 posts
 
In the interview, Rana describes her childhood and family.  She lived with her parents until she was 18 years old, and outside of being a prodigy, her life was very normal.
Argerich had a very different childhood.  Recognized in Argentina as a prodigy,  Peron created a job for Argerich's father as a consular officer in Vienna so that she could study with recognized teachers (Gulda was first).  So she had no continuity of social life or friends, and she has explained how difficult this was for her.
jim204
881 posts
 
I'm just listening to a very well recorded and executed Mahler - Symphony No 9 from Herbert Blomstedt and Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. I have to say I am enjoying it as it is not as frenetic as Solti and not as leaden as Klemperer . It is very well recorded except for a bit of squeezed dynamics which is perfectly understandable considering the massive dynamics of the work in the first place.
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