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.


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I’ll mention James Levine.  
His professional demise was sudden and shocking.
I’m sure his actual demise was  accelerated by the scandal.
I know, among musicians,  for years there were stories of his inappropriate behavior with children. I had no idea how extensive it was until the scandal broke.
In my opinion, he was one of the best conductors around.  Practically a fixture at the Met, he led the world’s greatest orchestras and made many excellent recordings, especially of Mahler, which I own.
Should you throw away his records?.  A Times reviewer spoke to this point years ago.  Should his bad behavior color our view of him as an artist? Are his accomplishments all for naught? 

I think not.  But you may think differently 
First time hearing the word "children" in connection with him.  If true, I apologize for the post.  He should be forgotten.

Cheers


I would not throw them away, I would burn them !

Nothing on this planet is as Holy  as CHILDREN !!!