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
You are not wrong there RV as I also think he was a phenomenon of which sad to say I do not think we shall see the likes of again. He left us a whole treasury of works which are unique and in so many forms. I particularly love his Corelli Variations especially played by Mikhail Pletnev on Rachmaninov's own Steinway in his villa, a truly wonderful recording.
Other works of his I love are his piano pieces Op.23 and Op.32 and those two together give us a full 24 preludes in all the keys, and the variety is fascinating. When I have listened to him play his own works on recordings I think what a crying shame hearing this horribly diistorted and hissy sound when everyone now can listen to any modern pianist with superb digital sound. 
Here's an instrumentalist whom I hadn't heard before: Hille Perl.  To me she sounds like stiff competition to Jordi Savall et al. on the viola da gamba.  The Schenck CD is excellent, with superb sound and impassioned playing. I have immediately ordered two more of hers.
@maghister  Re Barbosa, I have listened to his recordings of the Mazurkas and I really enjoyed them .His rubatos are beautiful and unhurried with a superb technique. I did know of him because he was a pupil of Arrau’s but sad to say I had never looked up any of his recordings so a big thank you for putting his name my way.
There is other Music than Piano . This bit is modern and conducted by the composer.https://youtu.be/OnAtvyK6bzY?t=4

This piece confirms , to me at least, his greatness . Sadly Sir Peter is no longer with us .
https://youtu.be/zpJB-XXE9Xg?t=2