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
Here's another CD I really have to recommend.  I don't know if it's available over streaming, as it appears to be one those more cottage-industry, limited edition, independent types of production.

It's titled Phantasia Musica. Violin Music of the 17th Century, and contains works from around the time of Biber (though not Biber himself).  All of them are extraordinary, some culled from unique manuscript sources.

The leader, Antoinette Lohmann, plays superbly, the rest of the consort is just as good, and the recording is splendid.  This is that kind of achingly beautiful chamber music, gorgeously dissonant at moments, here performed with extraordinary expressivity.

If you're into Biber's mystery sonatas, this is a must-have.
Just discovered these on you-tube. All are excellent and the camera work puts you right in the hall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEFceMhcyns&list=PL764FC1C2B52AEC62&index=8

Maybe some of you have not seen and heard them before.

Cheers


The next high point: Giovanni Antonio Pandolfi Mealli's sonatas, performed by Andrew Manze and Richard Egarr.  Extraordinary music, vigorously rendered.  It is understandable how influential it was in the later 17C.
After being blown away by the first disc I heard by ACRONYM, of Bertali's sonatas, I immediately ordered some more of their recordings, and the first in, of Valentini (entitled Oddities and Trifles) in no way disappoints.  This is lively, exuberant playing in a full, sonorous space.  Thoroughly enjoyable.
Another Argerich duo gem
Rachmaninov Suites No1 and 2
with Lilya Zilberstein
Martha Argerich Edition, Solos and Duos, on EMI 0 94944 2