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
@twoleftears   I haven't sampled this disc yet but tomorrow I'll surely do so. I have very high hopes for the future of this pianist but like Trifonov she has masses of technique but they need time to grow into the stars they will be in the future. I also think she has an enormous pallet of colours to fall on as exhibited in Pictures at an Exhibition. When I look at the You Tube video of her playing this piece every time I catch a closeup of her face her eyes are tightly shut and a rapturous look on her face (Liszt would certainly approve)   I also like her rendering of Standchen but can I point you to another recording of it from Kissin who I think makes more of the virtuousity in it and therefor making the piece sing more and there are many footfalls in that piece so a transcendental technique is really needed in those Schubert/Liszt pieces.
The Schubert Bb Sonata D 960 to me is one of the most profound pieces of  art in existence. It’s greatness lies in it’s simplicity.  If one tries to do too much with it, to overly emote as Buniatishvili does, it loses something.
As much as I respect and admire Buniatishvili, I think she needs to mature into this music.  No doubt she is a major talent and  more creative than most of her contemporaries.
The Impromptus go very beautifully under her fingers.
I had the fortune of attending Buniatishvili’s Schubert concert about two years ago and can say her playing is very consistent with this recording. She is indeed creative with a magical and soft touch, yet powerful at the same time. I agree with rvpiano, just like her colleague Trifanov, she will mature with time.
I would rank her Schubert right up there with Sokolov, Volodos and Radu. Sofronitsky, of course, is on another level. 
Enjoyed Salzburg Festival Opening Concert on blue ray box set

Daniel Barenboim, Piano, Bela Bartok, Piano Cocerto No1.
then as conductor Tchaikovsky Sym 6.