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
The Russians always say it takes a Russian to play Russian music .
After hearing this small but great masterpiece of Rachmaninoff I am
inclined to agree .


https://youtu.be/XfDreatXYeU
I heard Milstein in recital months before he died, in Chicago.  The outstanding memory is of hom playing the Bach Second Partita (the one with the great Chaconne), simply staggering playing, particularly for an Octagenarian.  After he died many CDs were issued on labels such as Doremi of live Milstein concerts through the years, and that Bach Partita was a staple of through the years, so it must have been firmly in his fingers until the end.
   Milstein DG set of the complete Bach Sonatas and Partitas is still my favorites.
Same here , Milstein was my favorite for many years .Still listen to the 30 or so LP.s I have .
Julia Fisher is my leader of the pack these days .