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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I've been in Cleveland twice in the last decade for Cleveland Orchestra concerts.  Both times I was amazed at how many young people there were.   Seemed like 40-50% looked to be in their 30s or 40s.  Elsewhere, mostly late 60's and older.
Inspired by Batsashvili I embarked on a fairly long play-through of all my Liszt piano recital disks.
Over half way, and so far the most lyrical and likeable has been I think John Browning in the Petrarch sonnets.
Volodos's recital has amazing piano sound, full, rich, very present; his playing is, when required, quite, err, forceful, and of course there's incredible dexterity.

@twoleftears      Have you got Francesco Piemontesi playing the Liszt Years of Pilgrimage First year Switzerland and Second Year Italy. I love them as he has a beautiful touch at the keyboard and the recitals are beautifully recorded. A couple of years ago I attended a recital in my local town hall and he played Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto , one of the best concerto recitals I have been to.