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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.


rvpiano
jim204
881 posts
 
@jcazador         Jeremy  I enjoyed those links you posted of Arrau they were very informative and gave us an insight to his sound which was wonderfull. I was really amazed how a man of 80 could keep his techniquein such good shape. I think I have said this already but I went down to London just to hear him play  Beethovens last three piano sonatas. I have to say that His sound from the piano was absoloutely unique and his recorded sound could never give us what he gave in live performances. I think it must have been the eighties that I went as my daughter was just a baby then. The little Op.109 sonata I have never heard anything like it, such an organic sound it makes you never want to hear anyone else play them.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I heard Arrau live 4-5 times , left me wanting no other .

I had the Schiff cello sonatas and you are spot on jim.
These days i do listen to the profoundly of Fournier because he relaxes me .A great one by Maria Kliegel playing a Strad cello On Naxos seems near flawless to me . Like everything recorded in Budapest , ditto for the sound .

I don’t recall hearing the suites in person , but for me the greatest recording is Anner Blylsma on period instrument .
jcazador
417 posts
 
Yes Jim, we both love Arrau.
For me it goes beyond his music, I love his attitude toward life, his curiosity, his priorities, his mild manner.
I appreciate his love, loyalty and honor for his wife and family.
When he walks onto a stage he hears the applause and he smiles as if to say "OK, I will take you there".
No showboating, no elaborate gesturing, just the real deal.
I was considering replacing my upright with a grand, then I saw pictures of Arrau practicing on an upright, and I realized that I already have more than I need (an old cheap Yamaha U1 that once had termites, and has a wonderful sound and touch, well tuned and regulated).
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I just recalled an interview of Arrau I heard on German TV  that has stuck with me . He was outspoken !

Exact words escape me but this is about it." In Music you have to give all you have in every performance . That's why Masur is a great conductor and Fisher-Dieskau  is not a great singer."   

That is/was nothing short of heresy in Germany .
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,328 posts
 
Here's another winner from Andrew Manze and Romanesca: Biagio Marini "Curiose & Moderne Inventioni".  And that's not really bragging on Marini's part: it's with him that the exploration and risk-taking starts that makes the stylus phantasticus as appealing as it is.
Also: both of these Romanesca discs have really excellent recording quality.
More to discover