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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
jim204
881 posts
 
@maghister     I have tried as hard as I can to see something in your "God pianist" but I am sorry to have to admit defeat because all I can hear is massive rubatos and distortions of the melodic line . some of the Liszt pieces he plays are almost unrecognisable with massive agogic hesitations and splashy chords. No I am sorry he is not for me.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,653 posts
 
While there is a certain attractiveness to Nyiregyházi, I don’t find him to be in the “god” class either.  He seems to be a throwback to the 19th century, with its romantic excesses. 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,315 posts
 
Hamelin's splendid new disc of Listz/Thalberg opera transcriptions and fantasies. Listen to those fingers fly!
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
12,961 posts
 
@maghister I have tried as hard as I can to see something in your "God pianist" but I am sorry to have to admit defeat because all I can hear is massive rubatos and distortions of the melodic line . some of the Liszt pieces he plays are almost unrecognisable with massive agogic hesitations and splashy chords. No I am sorry he is not for me.
It is perfectly Ok to perceive some perspective better than other...

I am more attentive to colors and intensity than to virtuoso perfect playing.... "fingers flying"

He seems to be a throwback to the 19th century, with its romantic excesses.
You are partly right but dont be deceived by only 2 or 3 pieces listening....

Perfection is not enough! Anyway i prefer romantic excess to modern dryness....

And wrote to the composer Schoenberg that his divine pianist is under Hamelin for his playing.... Like me he will smile.... 😁


twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,315 posts
 
Well, when the composer calls for hemidemisemiquavers, it's nice to have a pianist who can actually execute them both correctly and artistically.
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