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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
jcazador
417 posts
 
The pianist Marc-André Hamelin’s new album includes dazzling arrangements of Italian opera by Franz Liszt and Sigismond Thalberg.
Story in NYT includes interview and extracts of recordings.
Another superb new release, on Harmonia Mundi, compiles Liszt’s solo transcriptions of Beethoven’s symphonies. 
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/18/arts/music/marc-andre-hamelin-liszt-thalberg.html

jcazador
417 posts
 
Tracklist
Franz Liszt
Hexaméron, S392
01. Introduction Extremement lent (3:56)
02. Tema Allegro marziale (1:25)
03. Variation I Ben marcato (0:56)
04. Variation II Moderato (2:49)
05. Variation III di bravura - Ritornello (1:20)
06. Variation IV Legato e grazioso (1:23)
07. Variation V Vivo e brillante - Fuocoso molto energico Lento quasi recitativo (3:26)
08. Variation VI Largo - [coda] (2:31)
09. Finale Molto vivace quasi prestissimo (3:05)
Sigismond Thalberg
10. Grande fantaisie sur des motifs de Don Pasquale, Op 67 (14:15)
Franz Liszt
11. Ernani '[Deuxième] Paraphrase de Concert', S432 (7:37)
Sigismond Thalberg
12. Fantaisie sur des thèmes de Moïse, Op 33 (14:57)
Franz Liszt
13. Réminiscences de Norma de Bellini - Grande fantaisie, S394 (17:25)
jim204
881 posts
 
@jcazador     Johnathan I have just downloaded the hi-rez file of Hamelin's new recording , stupendous jaw dropping playing. If Hamelin's playing is anything to go by then Liszt and Thalberg must also have been as great as what has been written about them.
Great stuff indeed.
jcazador
417 posts
 
agree with you Jim, powerful performance by Hamelin
I am not an opera lover, but I do love those melodies.
Interesting note: Hamelin is broke, had to borrow money, caused of course by the cancellation of live performances.  I am sure his standard of living is a lot more expensive than mine!
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I am am Opera Lover because we get the greatest melodies from the
greatest of instruments , the human voice, in that genre .

https://youtu.be/5TUtRRfAOMs?t=3
https://youtu.be/F5q7113ACWA?t=2

The Ultimate in Music by 3 artists touched by God .
I've been to over 2, 000 live classical concerts , only in Opera does the audience
break into tears .


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