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 haven’t listened to Martha’s Chopin Mazurkas yet, but I will and let you know my impressions.
I actually do agree with Rubinstein’s observations about how fast she plays. At times it’s a little disconcerting and interferes with the natural flow of the music.
However, she’s an extraordinary talent and, at her best, is unparalleled.
Speaking of pianists, I’m just now listening to a new album by Daniel Trifonov containing Russian composers called “Silver Age” (available on Idagio.)
Again, as we’ve discussed before, aside from his formidable technique, I just don’t find him very interesting, despite all the hullabaloo.
AshkenazyI have heard his 1966 Diabelli Variations, but not the new recording.Now listening to his "Rare First Recordings 1955" which is a bonus
part of "The Solo Recordings on DG & Westminister 40CD"He must have been 13 years old, looks so young in the cover picture.I love his music, and I appreciate what he did with Edward Said in Israel.

Chopin Mazurkas by Antonio Barbosa is the most astoundingly rythmically accurate and "dancing" version for me  of these pieces that Chopin wrote for all his short live.....
RV    I am in total accordance with you regarding Trifonov  , he really has a lot of musical growing to do. He reminds me of Michelangeli  and Pollini who were capable of playing anything but cold as ice. No for me he needs a couple of decades under his belt , alas too late for me I fear.