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
Sometimes, a double bass. Still other times, piano or a wind; sometimes a third violin. Generally speaking and re nomenclature, whatever the fifth added instrument, that is the type of quintet that it, technically, is referred to as. Schubert’s Quintet D. 956 is, technically speaking, a “cello quintet”.

One of my favorite Quintets. Brahms Clarinet Quintet. The great Harold Wright, clarinet. One of the best examples of what players today may refer to as an “old school” clarinet sound. Light and free, with a lot of “smile” in the tone; as opposed to the much more dense, darker and less flexible approach that is in vogue today. Beautiful player.

https://youtu.be/VK5ycY0vYzg

https://youtu.be/Dn_wzYVhmQg

https://youtu.be/fdLyQPlC_Vs

https://youtu.be/AE9LDwFGN5k


rv, I love the Schubert D960 (like everybody) and as you know there
are many very good renderings of same .
I’ve had about 20 over the years.
l know I have a Germanic bias and I would say this guy this perhaps
not the best technical player but this 1967 recording is the most "Schubert" of the bunch . Tell me how foolish I am please .https://youtu.be/TrRSQboCGxQ?t=16
Guy is Wilhelm Kempff

rok , Understandable a SB would not get a 400 year
Catholic Classic .


Though I did not Study Music at Munster I did drop in a class about Music often .
The Prof was VERY learned and a pleasure to hear. One thing he said talking about String Qts. has stuck
with me.
He said never get angry at the North American groups , they have a slight problem , very slight and one they
one they do not know,
Their culture is "how am I doing " , Ours is " how are we doing " .


Beats me .


they have a slight problem , very slight and one they
one they do not know,
Their culture is "how am I doing " , Ours is " how are we doing " . 

I would not consider that a "problem".  Besides, without American Individualism, there would be no Jazz improvisation.  Reminds me when I taught in the Army electronics / Missile school, we had courses that were 'self-pace', and others that were 'lock-step'.  The Europeans have always been "Lockstep".

400 year Catholic Classic:
However, this SB loves Handel's Messiah.  Not quite 400 years old, but, Just recently got a new CD of Messiah.   Will post tomorrow.   I listen to it year round.   I understand it premiered in Dublin instead of London to avoid a religious ruckus.  You probably know the details better than I do.

Cheers