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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Mahler 9: on the shelf I have Walter, Barbirolli, Klemperer, Karajan, Bernstein, Zander, and Fischer.  Where would KK lie; what does he bring to the table?
It’s difficult to make comparisons.  
Kondrashin just seems to communicate the essence of the music to me better than anyone else.
Now listening to Kondrashin Mahler 9, downloaded last night.It is in a set of Mahler Symphonies 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9.
Also downloaded the Bamberg, but with Jonathan Nott.  Tudor 7162 (Austria)
There is another download that has 40 different orchestras!

I don’t think I’ve ever gone out this far on a branch , in private or in public as I am about to .

I’ve listened to about every Glazunov Violin Concerto(and others) ever made in the last month or so .

Julia Fisher is the greatest violinist in modern times , She simply makes, name who you will , seem like an also ran . She does things no one else can .Never forces a note , tone steady form the lowest to the highest note, nonpareil control of harmonics, a natural ability to balance with the orchestra , magnificent dynamics with vitality and perfect inflection in every note . Similar to Mozart in her ability to make you think it could be no other way . For starters .

Of course I could be wrong and we all like who we like .


my favorite violinist this week is Scarlet Rivera!
(hope i don't get banned from this blog)