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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.


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mayoradamwest
429 posts
 
We’ve come back but the damage was done. And the music of today isn’t built on the epitome and peak of orchestra with early 20th century romantic music. The music of Arvo Part is no more approachable than the trash being spewed by John Cage or the even worse, Philip Glass. Even more respected composers like Higdon aren’t going to gain much long term traction. I suspect the symphony format died with Shostakovich. The future of the symphony is movie music (which of course Hans Zimmer has tried his best to destroy, but there are still some wonderful composers in that space).
jcazador
417 posts
 
Long ago I loved symphony orchestras, heard Philadelphia under Ormany, BSO under Leinsdorf, etc.  But I seldom listen to orchestras today, not even recordings.  It is just too much for me.Maybe it is my age, maybe that I have not lived in a city for many years, so my life is quieter.  I much prefer sonatas, solos, occasionally a duet, trio or quartet.  More musicians do not increase my enjoyment/appreciation.  And "modern" music does not reach me.

As for rock n roll, I still love it, but not often.  New Years Eve comes but once a year.
I still listen to some folk/pop, live is very good. Recordings are mostly to learn new songs to play. 

I do love Hawaiian slack key, but have stopped trying to play it since my teacher died.

If I could actually play classical music, that would be my preference.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,315 posts
 
Because really few systems + rooms can truly handle properly a full-scale symphony orchestra in flat-out hue and cry, listening to chamber music in the home is often an all-round more satisfying experience.
jim204
881 posts
 
I couldn't agree more @twoleftears that rooms and systems cannot handle full scale symphony orchestras in things like Mahler Symphonies and so forth. I now only do my listening on headphones because I became delusioned years ago with trying to chase that elusive magic system because it just doesn't exist. I also listen only to solo piano music and chamber music now with the odd piano concerto thrown in.  I used to go to loads of full classical concerts and the BBC were there to record them for later broadcast. Now I do think the BBC are wonderful at broadcasting classical music and for every concert and every broadcast later they were a poor representation and it wasn't the BBC to blame but again we can't expect hi fi equiptment to get it right in those circustances.
phomchick's avatar
phomchick
209 posts
 
Because really few systems + rooms can truly handle properly a full-scale symphony orchestra in flat-out hue and cry, listening to chamber music in the home is often an all-round more satisfying experience.

This is true. But I've recently been using small monitor speakers in near field (1m) with a powered subwoofer, and this comes closer to full orchestra representation than my large system in the same large room.
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