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 ? I thought was all the time .

Another good one is Gil Shamam/Berlin Phil/ Claudio Abbado
https://youtu.be/sXPKJjNNI1s?t=2

One Great of Brahms Symphonies that seems to not get much love is ,Staatskapelle Dresden /Kurt Sanderling . solid as a rock . You Tube clips are NOT !
Mozart
Mozart Overtures
Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
Neville Marriner
EMI Label, Recorded 1982

Marriner was one of the founders of ASMF.  Now led by American Violinist Joshua Bell.

From the Notes: " A night at the opera has not always been the event of serious enjoyment it is today.  In earlier days, noise from an audience bent on treating the opera as an excuse for social merriment was likely to compete with the start of the music, very much to the latter's disadvantage.  To combat this, composers developed the Overture (literally "opening"), in which instruments struck up with a few loud chords to quell conversation and capture attention .....  Gradually these chords grew into a complete and self-contained movement..."

le nozze di figaro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOiTSAH7Bi0   

don giovanni
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S45XHZbz84s  

die zauberflote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cU1VyECXAg  


Sometimes, the Overture is the best part of the Opera.

Cheers

In case you wondered.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Martin-in-the-Fields
Nathan Milstein:

I will listen to them both, and see if I can hear your comments. Lord knows I am not qualified to judge, but I always look into ANYTHING recommended by The Frogman.

Cheers


@edcyn:

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.


I'm committed to CD.  Just so much easier.  Btw, when I search my shelves I am always surprised by what I find.   Esp the ones closest to the floor. :)

Cheers
Last night while watching an episode of "Endeavor" on the internet, this aria was part of the music soundtrack. The main character, a Police Detective, is a rapid Opera fan. Looking at the credits I found out it was from ’Madame Butterfly’. After searching my shelves, I discovered I had it on disc, 'The Ultimate Puccini Collection', and by the same singer that was on the soundtrack. Here she be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZZrD4_OAM4

I was not familiar with Ms Crespin

Cheers