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
IMO , this is a Great Oratorio which seem to get very little play anywhere and none in North/ America . I realize God is not in vogue but even an atheist could enjoy this Masterpiece .
Mendelssohn , Elias, with his band the Gewandhaus, Leipzig .


https://youtu.be/Nqfeb0jWPkA
1968 Phiilips 420 106-2

I start with 2nd part as it is shorter and Elly Amellng starts it off . Words are from the Old Testament .
The ever reliable Wolfgang Sawallisch at the helm.P.S. frogman, It came to Me, my first choice on the first day and page this forum started was the Mozart, Schubert , Serkin , Marlbourgh .
Not far down the 1st page .
About 41, Elly took over sung like an  angle , my hair stood up !
Johannes Brahms
Violin Concerto in D, Op.77
Jascha Heifetz, violin
Chicago -- Fritz Reiner

Recorded 1955. RCA, Sony SACD 2005

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJFJgVYFQh4

From the notes: On New Year’s Day, 1879, the concerto was introduced at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, on a program with an overture from a suite by Franz Lachner, an aria from Mozart’s Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail and some Chopin songs sung by Marcella Sembrich, the Chaconne from Bach’s D minor Sonata for solo violin, and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.
The concerto’s reception was typically Brahmsian in that it was simultaneously praised and damned.
Tchaikovsky, writing to Mme. von Meck, called the introduction "an admirable pedestal for a statue." adding, "but the statue is not there: we get merely a second pedestal placed on the first."

The tidbits / details are always fascinating.

Cheers
Jim, how do folk in Scotland Feel about the Prince passing ?
I never thought that grown ups needed Royalty but after last few years here I'm not so sure.

In any event he seemed like a good enough bloke to me and I have a
adult sadness for him .
I wish we all has more sadness for these people upon their deaths .

https://youtu.be/WaHcxz2fpvM?t=1

@ rok2id -- Your got me searching my record shelves. Yes, I've got that Heifetz Brahms Violin Concerto on a half-speed master "Red Seal .5 Series" LP.