2. music
  3. 132810-89202

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.


rvpiano
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,324 posts
 

My system is the most revealing it's ever been--and I'm not always liking it.

I've been immersed in Rachmaninov the last few days.  Listened to Daniil Trifonov for no. 2, and Argerich for no. 3.  Then I put on Boris Janis, on Mercury (2 & 3), which I thought was supposed to be a classic performance and recording.  The contrast wasn't subtle.  The piano was overly loud throughout in terms of the balance with the orchestra, and I wasn't getting a lot of shading of volume from the piano in "p" and "f" passages.  The piano itself sounded kind of monotone: muscular and woody and lacking in air.  Strong preference for the live Argerich in no. 3, where she wasn't as fierce, ferocious or aggressive as I'd thought she might be.  And sound-wise it was no contest.  Also preferred the Trifonov in no. 2, though I don't think he imbued it with all the lyricism that's possible.

Any recommendations for a truly "romantic" rendition of no. 2?

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,790 posts
 
The classic Katchen recording of the Rach 2 on Decca is wonderful.
And it has that classic FFSS sound as well.

newbee
4,815 posts
 
twoleftears, My favorite rendition of the Rachmaninoff PC's is by Earl Wild and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jasha Horenstein. 

This has been around for many years (for good reason!) and it is presently available from Chandos. A set of all the PC's as well as the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. If these was the only versions of the PC's that I owned (and its not, I've got a lot, old and contemporary) I'd be very happy.

Enjoy them if you can. 


rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,790 posts
 
Twoleftears,

    I’m listening to the Byron Janis recording, and I hear what you mean.
The lack of subtlety is typical of Mercury’s
“close-up” sound technique. Placing microphones so close to the orchestra and soloist is their trademark.  Some people like that.  But it does rob the sense of perspective.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,790 posts
 
+1 for the Wild/Horenstein 
Earl Wild was one of the great pianists of the 20th century.
Toscanini thought very highly of him.
More to discover