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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.


128x128rvpiano
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot
1,384 posts
 
I found this on Qobuz. I own the cd’s, very good.

https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/schuamnn-piano-works-robert-schumann/4260034863668
jim204
881 posts
 
@rvpiano    I take your point RV about Pogorelich and his technique when young he had a superb technique as witnessed by his Scarlatti Sonatas . They were fabulous tests for him and he left them withered and burnt-out behind him. Of course he didn't even play piano for a number of years since his wife died and of course we know what that did to him. At one point he was making jewellery and selling it in markets to survive. How the other half live, poor soul.  
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot
1,384 posts
 
Pogorelich is one of thousands. Many Ukrainian pianists study in US conservatories, primarily Juilliard and then move back to Odessa or Kiev. The Russian piano tradition is now international.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,694 posts
 
I attended a concert by Pogorelich at Carnegie years ago. He acted as though the stage was the last place he wanted to be, and almost totally ignored the presence of an audience.  He nonetheless played magnificently.

His wife was his longtime teacher and, I believe, much older than he.
I remember being surprised when he married her.
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot
1,384 posts
 
Elizabeth Leonskaja, a pianist that Richter thought very highly of, released a Schumann recording at the beginning of 2020. I have not heard this recording but many years ago I saw Elizabeth Leonskaja give a Beethoven recital at the Theatre Champs Elyse in Paris. Her musicianship and technique are evident of the Russian aesthetic.
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