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.


128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xrvpiano
Here's a real revelation for me.  Mendelssohn, complete piano music, played by Howard Shelley, on Hyperion.  The playing is excellent, the recording is superb (the piano is in my room), and the music has come as a most pleasant surprise.  I started with vol. 2 as that's the CD that arrived first: Rondo, Fantasias, Lieder, etc.  Delicate, lyrical, and muscular, forceful by turns, I'm enjoying this more than a recent transversal of Schumann.  Highly recommended.
Wow! good idea.... I will try Mendelssohn piano music....Thanks....

Piano is my favorite instrument....😊

Merry Christmas...
Arthur Foote...don’t know of him...what pieces would be a good place to start?