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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
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@jcazador Thank you.  Previn, based on my prior reading, is recommended given his jazz roots. I will look into Julius Katchen II's recordings of Rhapsody. Thanks for your response!

[Side note...I just missed the Previn years with the Pittsburgh Symphony...lived there during the Maazel years]
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jim204
881 posts
 
Hi David you may like to try this one out it's from Benjamin Grosvenor and I say this as it is full of explosive Virtuosity and I find it very satisfying and it has some nice fill ups from Saint-Saens and Ravel. Grosvenor is a very young man but don't let that hold you back because he has a stunning technique.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

No love for Bernstein?

For a real contrast, you can hear Gershwin himself playing it on "The Essential George Gershwin".

newbee
4,775 posts
 
I enjoy Michael Tilson Thomas's version with the LA Phil. Reminds me more of the sound of music as it was played in the 20's. That aside, I really enjoy Litton's with the Bergen Phil. Recording quality is excellent and the sound is more forward than some of the others, alive and dramatic. 

Of (some of) the others I have, and briefly listened to, I like Bernstein's with the NY Phil, Previn's with the LSO (not the PSO, for acoustic reasons). Much as I like Earl Wild I didn't care for the recording with Feidler. 

I'd be happy with just the first two, but I would include Litton's version with the Dallas SO where he plays and conducts (as does Thomas). I just like  this program a lot. 
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