2. music
  3. 132810-89202

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.


rvpiano
frogman
7,563 posts
 
Orchestras can be ruthless with a conductor that they don’t like or respect. You are entirely correct. One can pick up on how the orchestra feels about a conductor simply by the way that they welcome the maestro when he walks out unto the stage; and the performance will reflect that. It can be obvious enthusiasm, or just obviously obligatory half smiles. Watch the speed and unanimity (or
lack of) with which the players rise to their feet.  It may be subtle, but always obvious.
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,857 posts
 
This is my idea of can not be better , totally different and I weep when I hear this adagio !

https://youtu.be/GbtCChVk0lA?t=3

P.S. Whenever I see Ormandy I think, now there is a honest man .
WOW! i will go look for all Celidache set Barber +Shostakovtich...

Staggering difference between these 2 marvellous interpretation...

In one, Ormandy, my heart is feeling embedded in time, the tragedy is out there again filling me completely like water filled a cup...It is like re-living the event in this life, a living memory which accompanies me...

In the other, Celibidache, the tragedy is there, but completely transcended, and the feeling is now a participating wave in eternity.... It is like living the event after our death revealing all truth about it....

These 2 are the best interpretation i listen to for this Barber masterpiece....Impossible to chose between these 2....

Thanks schubert for the discovery....


schubert
7,386 posts
 
Frogman; PLEASE look at the Celibidache Op 11.

The Munchner was always a decent orchestra .
What he has done to them is unreal.

Few Days ago I got a glance over the back of Bloomstead  on a DVD .
The players looked like dogs waiting for a bone .
Well into his 90’s and still in demand !

I sat into a rehearsal about 30 years ago with him and the Radio Orch. in
Berlin (one step behind the Phil) .He stood there and asked THEM what they thought for a half-hour !
schubert
7,386 posts
 
You are spot-on mahgister !

When I hear the Celibdache Op 11, I am both leaving the earth in peace
and crying for going .

Over 80 I know that to be and I do cry .
And go to a Bach Cantata to dry my tears .
Bach has a in with God . A BIG one !
frogman
7,563 posts
 
Celibidache “Adagio”:  Very fine indeed and different, as you say.  I can’t add to mahgister’s excellent comments.  Thank you, had not heard that.
More to discover