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
big surprise that you do not prefer Arrau!so many have recorded this piece, I listen
but could never choose
Johnathan , I really do love Arrau in Schumann but the sound on some of the recordings are less than sensitive to his piano tone. The Etudes are wonderful other than the piano tone. It's a pity he was getting on a bit when digital recording technique's were just getting started because the Phillips recordings of him show a wondrous tone that a lot of his analogue recordings don't have and that is now why I am trying pianists in their prime with good technique and tone to match. Don't get me wrong though Arrau is still my all time favourite pianist , he could play anything. the most jaw dropping thing I ever heard from him was Islamey from 1928 I think, it was stupefying but the recording sucked. 
RV.   Have you tried Arrau in the Fantasy , I have never heard a more poetic Clara Theme than this the piano tone at times is Orgiastic , forgive me but it is the only way I can describe it. You sure do know that Robert loved his Clara.
The recording I have of Pogorelich playing Schuman's Symphonic Etudes is from 1981, when P must have been about 21 years old. He has always had serious health issues, and on the cover he looks like a high school student.  I certainly do love his music, and also his name!