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
I think Martin has recorded more Alkan than any other composer, so in my book that’s a feather in his cap. I noticed a Mompou disk that should be investigated. BTW, any strong Mompou recommendations?

On the strength of her Schubert recital, I got Buniatishvili’s Liszt disc. The lyrical passages are splendid; I wonder if the contrasts between the slow, delicate, pp passages, and the faster, boisterous ff passages are a bit overdone. Jury is still out on that one.
@twoleftears     The biggest Mompou plug I could give is Arkady Volodos , Stunning!!!
@twoleftears, there are 4 albums of Mompou playing his own music, on the Ensayo and Brilliant labels. Available on streaming (Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Apple).
 there are 4 albums of Mompou playing his own music, on the Ensayo and Brilliant labels. Available on streaming
Less refined playing than Volodos, but a more spontaneous direct and simple approach.... The 2 are the best possible....

re Mompou, please do not forget


Aethur Rubinstein, Music of Spain

also The Rubinstein Collection


Stephen Hough, Piano Music of Mompou


Jenny Lin, Silent Music


Andrew Tyson, Landscapes


Josep Colom, Momou - Piano Music


Mompou himself, Complete Piano Works (4 cds)


Volodos plays Mompou

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Michelangeli Performance
also Great Pianists of the 20th Century

Alicia de Larrocha, Great Pianists of the 20th Century

Alexander Thaurand, Chopin Preludes, also Chopin Waltzes