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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
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
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.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
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.
jcazador
417 posts
 
Another Argerich duo gem
Rachmaninov Suites No1 and 2
with Lilya Zilberstein
Martha Argerich Edition, Solos and Duos, on EMI 0 94944 2

jcazador
417 posts
 
I take it all back
Some time ago I wrote that I preferred Bach on piano rather than harpsichord.  But now listening to Gustav Leonhardt play the English Suites, my opinion has changed.
I think Arrau said he had quit playing Bach on piano because it was better on harpsichord.  But I don't think he ever recorded it.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Having played through a few recordings that were pleasant but unexceptional, here's another one more than worth mentioning: Ignazio Albertini's Sonatas, performed by Helene Schmitt et al.  Albertini is right up there with Schmelzer, Uccelini, Pandolfi, Walther, Viviani and Biber.  Excellent recording, with nice variation between sonatas of violin + theorbo and organ and violin + harpsichord.  On another of these "small" labels, Alpha.
More to discover