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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.


128x128rvpiano
newbee
4,767 posts
 
Thanks for the reference. I haven't heard Ormandy's version in quite a few years - I disassembled my vinyl system and gifted it all, records included, to my son in law. Now I have only CD's and this is not one of them.
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rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,653 posts
 
New on Idagio:  “Volodos Plays Brahms,” a disc from 2017.
I’d be interested in opinions of his Brahms interpretations.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,653 posts
 
Although Volodos may be my favorite among pianists performing today, i really don’t like his way with Brahms as represented in this album.  He plays in a hushed, sort of reverential manner, eviscerating the bones of the music.  It almost sounds impressionistic.  Brahms’ inherent counterpoint is somehow lost.  While this is not the heaven storming music of his youth,  Brahms is emasculated in this manner.
Volodos’ tone is sumptuous, and the playing is immaculate.  The recorded piano sound is really gorgeous. But, in my opinion these performances miss the mark by a wide margin.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
My mind can’t get past Ivan Moravec .


And the older my mind gets the more it loves Brahms .
More to discover