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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
 
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.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
I had quite forgotten that Respighi composed a piano concerto.  A pleasant rediscovery.
schubert
7,386 posts
 

jim, Here’s one think most Scots think of as Classical and right they are .

Found it going through my LP ’s today , Jean Redpath with Abby Newton on "A Fine Song for Singing " Felt the earth under my feat as my gran turned over on "Annie Laurie.  "The Wild Geese" made me want to join her .

I use phones as well but a speaker over 96 eff . can come close .

phomchick is correct as well .

newbee
4,751 posts
 
jim204 & two left ears, I agree with you both on a high ends systems inability to reproduce anything close to real over a home system. For me though a modest system and a good recording can serve well in bringing me me into the music itself . I just don’t try to bring down the house.

Re using headphone as a source. FWIW I recently put together a separate, dedicated, headphone system - I’m just amazed at the clarity this can provide sans all of the audiophile stuff about imaging, etc. Its just about clarity and tone.

FWIW I too have found that I now prefer music for solo piano and chamber music. Especially the former. Just don’t need all of the thunder and lightning to get my attention. Mahler is just dying on my shelves now, but Sibelius comes to visit now and again. Not really true, I just play orchestral as background music for reading.
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