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
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.
Listening to Kondrashin's Dvorak 9 for a first time on my improved system, and what an exciting recording it is.  Superb dynamics!  The tympani strokes in the first movement made me jump. I would never have guessed the recording's age. All cobwebs firmly blown away.  Dvorak reenergized.

All that said, anyone care to recommend a complementary more relaxed, "romantic" reading, with a suitably delicious slow movement?  I'd like to have both.
I have always enjoyed Karajan with the Vienna Philharmonic and although maybe a bit lush for some I think he would be a perfect foil for Kondrashin.
The Woman Who Built Beethoven’s Pianos

Nannette Streicher has been marginalized by history, but she was one of Europe’s finest keyboard manufacturers.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/arts/music/beethoven-piano.html