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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@jcazador     Jeremy I have just read your account of the Chopin Godowsky Studies. By not being up technically to Bolet's recordings do you mean Godowsky's technique or the technical imperfections of the recorded sound then. I have read of Bolet going back to his young days when he was a student of Josef Hoffman and how everyone was in awe of Godowsky's technique even Hoffman an Rachmaninov had said that he could do things on the piano that no normal human being could do.
Yes Jim, Godowsky is legendary for his technique, agree.I was referring to the technical aspect of the recordings that I have heard (not to the way the piano was played).I have read that Godowsky's small audience performances were the best of anyone ever, but that he did not play as well in a concert hall, or when recording.  Call it stage fright?  Not for me to say, never heard him, wish I could have.
I have also read that many accomplished pianists do not perform some of his works because they are so difficult. 
Jim,

Yes, I’m aware of Chopin’s admiration and envy of Liszt’s technique.
And, I agree and have always thought Liszt’s B minor Sonata a supreme masterpiece. By a wide margin, the foremost romantic piano sonata, surpassing Chopin’s own and Brahms’ youthful efforts.

@jcazador  So I'm confused.  Hyperion, Liszt, S. 173~Steven Osborne, but S.154~Leslie Howard.  Identical titles=two different sets of compositions??