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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
jim204
881 posts
 
@mahgister     I think you are absolutely right regarding his CD's , I also find them quite cold to  listen to with the exception of Stravinsky's Three Movements from Petrushka. He plays that piece as if The devil or in Scot's parlance ( Auld Nick - for you Len ) was sitting at the keyboard playing it himself. If poor old Arthur Rubinstein the dedicatee could have played it like that , but sadly that is the type of thing that Pollini excelled at. While on the subject of Pollini has anyone heard Pollini's latest Beethoven's last three piano sonatas, I wish I could say it was great but I found it quite difficult to listen to. That famous accuracy is gone and the pieces lack any cohesion and there are a few finger slips which I am putting down to age. Take Martha Argerich she is now over seventy five now and she plays like a 40 y.o. which I am sure most 40 year olds would love.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Way back in the day, when the Penguin Classical Record Guide was riding high, Perahia and Pollini seemed to me to be represented on a lot of the same repertoire.  Trying them both, I always preferred Perahia, because Pollini struck me as, yes, too cool in the interpretation.
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,008 posts
 
i second you....

Between Perahia and Pollini, the first has some magical sparkle that the other has not.... 2 great artists tough for sure....
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
OK, so I know I've already recommended this, but on a second listening I like it even more.  Dudamel's Beethoven 3 with the Venezuela orchestra.  It has everything you'd expect from a first-class international orchestra PLUS an inner enthusiasm and, yes, joy that I find truly infectious.  Really worth a listen.
And while we're on the subject of recommendations, I think it was in this thread a while back that someone pointed to the Sibelius 1 + 7 on Ondine with Segerstram and Helsinki Philharmonic.  Listening now and wow!  Fabulous interpretation AND fabulous sound--that unheard of unicorn!

jim204
881 posts
 
Between Perahia and Pollini , no contest I would pick Perahia and day of the week. I have loved Perahia since the day he won the Leeds Piano Competition ( a long time ago ) and I have to admit he is my go to pianist for any Bach keyboard works. I have only heard him live once at Glasgow and it was the Goldberg Variations with some Bach / Busoni thrown in also. It was a wonderful performance with some sparkling pianism and for all Pollini's virtuosity it is Perahia I will always fall back on.
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