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
I have heard many people play Schubert and  Brendel is the
one I can imagine most at home playing a duo with Schubert himself .
Yes Len you are so right ,I have seen Brendel live many times and although not a natural virtuoso he had a wonderful way with Schubert. I remember one concert he played the last three sonatas and I have never heard them played better by anyone although I do still have a soft spot for Volodos.
Paul Lewis
just listened to his Beethoven sonatas, his Weber, and his Schubert recordings, still downloading his Haydn
i really like his Schubert
thanks for the tip!
I just saw Paul Lewis in Chicago last night, playing the Beethoven PCs 1/4 with Andrew Davis conducting.  He is a great player.  I had only heard one recording of his a few years ago that left me a bit underwhelmed but last night was wonderful.
btw, the Brendel recording of the last 3 Schubert Sonatas are not only great performances, but one of the most natural sounding recordings of a Piano made in the analog era
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