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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Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 - 3. Rondo. Vivace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTRA8LqpDYc

From the Notes:  "The earliest ideals for this Concerto were jotted down in a sketchbook by Beethoven in early 1804. -- The work was performed for the first time, by Beethoven, in March 1807 at a private concert at the palace of Prince Lobkowitz  -- The first public performance eventually took place on 22 December 1808, at a large benefit concert at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna.  The concert was organized by Beethoven himself and consisted entirely of works of his not previously heard in public, including the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies and parts of the mass in C."

Just think, if you were not at the concert, you just didn't hear this music. 

Cheers
Schubert: String Quintet In C, D. 956 - 3. Scherzo (Presto) - Trio (Andante sostenuto)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKuqnybKnHo

From the Notes:  "During the five years preceding his early death, Schubert wrote seven masterpieces of chamber music -- Of these, the last, and arguably the finest, is the Quintet.  The unanimous appreciation for this composition is epitomized by the comment of W.W. Cobbett in his Cyclopaedia of Chamber Music: "nothing so ideally perfect has been written for strings as this inexpressibly lovely work." --- Martin Chusid

Cheers
AMEN !
Beyond all doubt this is the best Chamber piece ever . Period .

Also pretty much agreed the Emerson Qt. has the best notation of any.


Not to say one is better than another, but I think this group has a tat more soul .Just a small matter of taste ,https://youtu.be/Dc3iX7x73JY?t=1
As I sit listening, I came to the conclusion that God was not doing
nothing for his two utmost composers of sheer beauty , Mozart and the even younger Schubert .

He just could not bear any longer to not have them by his side .