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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
ei001h
287 posts
 
I was surprised to find politics infiltrating this forum. I honestly couldn't care less of Wagners political views. I accept that he's vile anti semite, but I love his music. I don't think we should be canceling composers and classical music in general. Apparently, Beethoven is now racist too. At this rate soon enough all classical music will be censored and labeled racist. 
jim204
881 posts
 
I also do not want to have politics coming between me and my music and if push comes to shove I would say that The Ring Cycle to me was the greatest operatic endeavour of the 19th century. He was still a stinker of a man.  
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I ONLY  loath Wagner . Don't care for opera's  with incest  as the theme either.I care greatly that Wagner did much to make murdering millions OK ..
jcazador
417 posts
 

On Saturday night, he and the Berlin Staatskapelle orchestra completed the programme as promised at Jerusalem's international convention centre. But when Barenboim returned for a second encore, he surprised the audience by asking if they wanted to hear Wagner.

An emotional 30-minute debate among the audience followed, with some shouting "fascist" and "concentration camp music", and dozens walked out, banging doors as the music began.

But most stayed and Barenboim, 58, played a piece from Tristan and Isolde. He was reported to have been close to tears after receiving a standing ovation.

"I respect those for whom these associations are oppressive. It will be democratic to play a Wagner encore for those who wish to hear it. I am turning to you now and asking whether I can play Wagner?"

He said he did not want to offend anyone and that those who would find the music objectionable could leave.

The debate, carried out in Hebrew, was lost on almost all of the orchestra. Holocaust survivors were in both camps. Michael Avraham, 67, an engineer, said: "Wagner was a giant anti-semite but also a great musician. I'm against his views, but not his music."

Ephraim Zuroff, director of the Israeli branch of the Nazi-hunting Simon Wiesenthal Centre, said: "We will urge all Israeli orchestras to boycott Daniel Barenboim."

In 1981, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra tried to play a piece from Tristan and Isolde, but a Holocaust survivor jumped on to the stage, opened his shirt and showed scars from a concentration camp. The performance was abandoned.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/jul/09/ewenmacaskill



twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Arrau's complete Liszt Etudes.
Who knows this recording well?

The piano image is remarkably high, as if it were up on a raised stage and you were down in a seat close by.

Also the bass/lower midrange seems remarkably, err, generous.  I'm not complaining, it just brings home again how many ways a single piano can sound different when recorded.
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