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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.


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david_ten
5,480 posts
 
I went with the Rhapsody In Blue: Saint-Säens, Ravel, Gershwin performed by Benjamin Grosvenor and The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, James Judd. It's a fantastic performance.

Secondary to this was Gershwin Plays Rhapsody In Blue (First Recording 1924 from Rare Piano Rolls). I like this performance, especially the 'music history' significance and story, however the quality (for the recording I have access to) isn't high quality.

The Benjamin Grosvenor recording helped with my component and power cable evaluations.

Thanks to all who helped out with their suggestions and guidance.
jim204
881 posts
 
@david_ten     I'm glad you went with the Grosvenor disc I was sure it wouldn't disappoint.
mahler123
3,265 posts
 
I just purchased a used set of Haitink’s Shostakovich cycle, which was split between the Concertgebouw and the LPO.  I had owned a couple of them on lp, none digitally.  All I can say is wow.  Not only is BH inside of DSCH idiom, but the late seventies Decca analog recordings are superb in their impact
jim204
881 posts
 
We will miss Haitink ( now retired ) and Blomstedt very much when they go. In the summer of 2019 I watched some BBC Proms performances and one I really loved was Haitink at the helm of the VPO and he played Bruckner 's Seventh and after a few curtain call you could see he was quite upset as that was to be his last performance in the UK. I remember the last parting shot of the back of his head as he recieved a standing ovation from the audience and the orchestra. Very touching and the end of a very great career.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I’ve always gone out of my way to hear Blomstedt. My idea of the perfect conductor and of the German symphonic musicians I knew as well .
Haitink is one of the few conductors one just buys as you know the recording will be as good as it gets with sound to match if  recording in Amsterdam .
More to discover