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
Jim,

I just happened to listen the Babayan Rachmaninoff album yesterday.
I like the fact that he doesn’t play the pieces in order.  Just skips around between Preludes, Etudes Tableaux etc.
Particularly beautiful is his rendition of the Volodos arrangement of the Cello Sonata 2nd movement.  Almost as great as the master Volodos himself.
Greetings all. First time on this thread. So many threads, so few looms.
My CD collection is now under review. Streaming is starting a cull of old CDs.

Just want to give a heads up to Qobuz freaks that the new recording from BIS is now streaming:
Lament by Hans-Kristian Kjos Sørensen
A mix of orchestral/choral/electronic recorded like BIS does.
This is really a must-hear IMO. Tests everything.
Not affiliated, just like it enough to post a quickie "go listen."

@rvpiano    RV I thought you would like the Babayan recording especially the Volodos transcription and I thought his piano tone was luscious with such a warm glow over everything. It takes a great pianist to turn a fundamentally staccato instrument into such a warm legato instrument. "Hats off gentlemen a genius" ( Schumann ).  
Schubert,

Just listening to Olafssohn’s French album.
Really attractive playing.  He uses very little pedal in Debussy, helping highlight the similarities between the two composers.
Very fine pianist.  I like his playing here more than his Bach.