Hear, Hear for Haydn!A friend of mine who’s otherwise pretty knowledgeable, is an ignoramus when it comes to this composer, as are many music lovers. Although I take a backseat to no one in my love for Mozart, in general, I prefer Haydn’s symphonies. There are a few exceptions of course, but Haydn wrote so many great ones. He was always a master tinkerer, with a wonderful sense of humor. Even the early symphonies are creations of genius and invention.I can always find something to love in ANY of Haydn’s 104 symphonies.
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.
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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Had to get a second hanky jim . Hears the voice of Scots at home and over the world over at it’s best ! https://youtu.be/xDXnu_hb_d0?t=1 https://youtu.be/KZqNGfni8TA?t=3 . https://youtu.be/c7RGcdsM4Vk?t=2 A young lass singing my favorite Burns . |
You got that right rv. ! I always steer people to the 6,7 ,8 masterpieces whether they have listened to Classical fifty years or fifty minutes ! As a religious person I have always thought the cherry on the top for Hayden was/is his piety . His church music is better than Mozart’s and IMO right up there with Bach's Passions , at least for a believer . |
@rvpiano, The Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances are also one of my favorite symphonic pieces! Thanks for all the recommendations earlier in this thread: Dallas-Johanos / Minnesota-Oue / Concertgebouw-Ashkenazy / Concertgebouw-Jansons. I wanted to add the Gardiner / NDR Sinfonieorchester recording to the list... to my ears, it's unmatched in suspense, scale and space. The Dallas/Johanos recording sounds comparably sterile and too measured for my taste, and far less expressive. What are your impressions? |
apm18, I agree with you that the Johanos recording is very dry and somewhat sterile. I must admit that I recommended it on the basis of this being an audiophile site. That particular disc has really excellent sonics. Performance-wise there are many better versions. In general, I like Ashkenazy’s way with Rachmaninoff. |
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