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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
5,315 posts
 
Finally getting around to listening to the Currentzis Mahler 6.  After the overwhelming Tchaikovsky Pathetique it was a must-listen.
So, not as transformative, but interesting nevertheless..
Tempos are generally brisk in movements 1 and 2, with just occasional moments of noticeable rubato. His orchestra is incredibly together, and the Sony recording is very fine. There are a number of details of the score that come through more clearly here than any other recording I know.  The slow movement is superlative (but then I'm a sucker for Mahler's slow movements).  It's different to Bernstein, but I'll definitely want to listen to it again.  Here the tempo is "just right", and the slow ebb and flow and ultimate build to the climax perfectly judged--definitely not just a long sentimental bonbon--more truly emotionally draining.  (Barbirolli: remember, each piece of music only has one climax.)

Has anyone else heard it?  I'd be curious to get your impressions.
gdnrbob
4,441 posts
 
It was RV who introduced me to Currentzis. For the most part, I like his interpretations. The Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto is one of my new favorites.
I listened to an album of Micheal Gielen that had two performances of the Mahler 6th, both were quite different from the other. Check it out.
My fav is the Horenstein performed live- That audience is sooo quiet. 
Bob
edcyn
1,876 posts
 
rvpiano -- Yeah!  That Mahler Des Knaben Wunderhorn recording is indeed my favorite record of all time.  I have three copies -- one CD and two Vanguard LPs (my wife accidentally put a scratch in my first one and guiltily tracked down another).  Thanks to my recent purchase of a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge DAC, the CD is now just as emotionally involving as the vinyl.  Mahler's music and the artists' performances, especially those of bass-baritone Heinz Rehfuss, act as a time-machine, effortlessly transporting me back to a lush, magical, sometimes terrifying ancient Europe. 
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,653 posts
 
Edcyn,

I, too, have two LP’s and one CD of that recording.
And, yes, the CD also sounds terrific.

schubert
7,386 posts
 
I also have the Vanguard LP , an absolute gem!I buy ANY Vanguard I see , period .
More to discover