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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.


rvpiano
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,327 posts
 
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.
jim204
881 posts
 
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.
jcazador
417 posts
 
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
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,822 posts
 
Speaking of Kondrashin, I believe he is one of the great conductors of the 20th century and somewhat underrated.  He was superb not only in Russian music.  His Mahler performances, especially the 9th Symphony, are truly admirable.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,822 posts
 
I’m  listening to a work of incomparable genius: Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, and just had to write about it.
Some of the most brilliant variation writing existent.
More to discover