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.


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After living through so many years of denigration by music’s so called keepers of the art, Rachmaninoff’s time has finally come.  There was a time he was shunned as second class “pop” classical music.  Now, all genres of his music are performed regularly on stage and recording studios.
Ashkenazy is probably my favorite interpreter.   But there’s no lack of good performers of his work.  I particularly like Pletnev as both conductor and pianist. He is a true lover of Rachmaninoff. Historically, his colleague, Eugene Ormandy’s renditions are wonderful.  Also, Andre Previn.
Rachmaninoff’s genius was always  recognized in Russia.  That tradition can be heard in the work of many current Russian conductors and pianists. 
favorite musicians playing Rachmaninov:
Rachmaninov himself, Richter, Gilels, Gavrilov, Sofronitsky, Berman, Ashkenazy, Sokolov, Berezovsky, Argerich, Bolet, Biret, Trifonov, Rubinstein, Diev, Angelich, Osborne,   Kissin,   Weissenberg, Grimaud,   Lugansky, Graffman, Wild, Pizarro, Volodos, Ogdon, Cherkassky, Shelley, Van Cliburn.
Btw, there are some excellent documentaries:
Rachmaninoff Documentary The Harvest Of Sorrow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWG9euFgJ0U
Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff Documentary Part 01 of 07
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIee4loMEWo
BBC The Joy of Rachmaninoff Documentary 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHiUBBy2eMk