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
One of the greatest discovery of my life is Sofronitsky playing Scriabin...

His playing is like a seven-breasted vessel filled with bubbling lava....He says so.....And i listen to that....

Vladimir Sofronitzky Edition

Vladimir Sofronitzky (piano)

rec. 1946-60

BRILLIANT CLASSICS 8975 [9 CDs includes 2 cds of Scriabinhttp://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/June09/Sofronitzky_brilliant8975.htm

also
this cd includes some Scriabin, but mostly other composers
https://www.amazon.com/Vladimir-Sofronitsky-Scriabin-Museum-Vol-10/dp/B00D3JOOGQ
His daughter Viviana is also a pianist.  I wonder how much of the genius carried over.

In other news, Lupu in Schumann / Humoreske, Kinderszenen and Kreisleriana is the best I've heard so far; his touch and the sound he gets from the piano seems to match the music perfectly.
I just saw a dynamite performance of Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto on YouTube. Andre Watts piano. Zubin Mehta and the New York Phil. A true treat.