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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
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
George Gershwin
PORGY AND BESS (highlights)
Simon Estes / Roberta Alexander
Rundfunk - Sinfonieorchester Berlin
Leonard Slatkin
Recorded 1984

Another one with the German sales price sticker still attached. DM39.95

From the Notes: Talks about the deeper meaning of the piece. The ’complex’ relationship between Porgy, Crown and Bess. Porgy and Bess, Good and innocent, vs the evil Crown etc... They were not written by Gershwin, so they should be taken with a grain of salt. I think it was, just like most music, entertainment.

A German Radio Band????  It will be played to 'perfection'.

Act 1 - Introduction - Jazzbo Brown Blues - Summertime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2btC1lleG5k

Act 1 - My Man’s Gone Now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyGnw2aO6R4

Act 2 - I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L76mHyEIQCA

Act 2 - I Ain’t Got No Shame - It Ain’t Necessarily So
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVv-GgJtlMQ

Cheers





rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,698 posts
 
Just listening to Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” (in the recent Teodor Currentzis recording.)
A miracle of Western civilization.
jim204
881 posts
 
@rvpiano    I must look into that one RV.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,698 posts
 
The miracle is Mozart, not Currentzis.by the way.
‘Really nice recording, though.  Beautiful sound as well.
 On Idagio and Qobuz (in hi res.)
jim204
881 posts
 
@rvpiano   You are right the miracle indeed is Mozart but the sound is wonderful. This is the first I have listened to a complete opera in years, Mozart was indeed the greatest operatic composer of his age. My last Figaro was Herman Prey and we could be doing with his power and wit in this performance , the rest of the cast are very good by the way. The orchestra is very vividly recorded and three cheers for the forte piano and lute, a period performance but with a full blooded orchestra. Yes I have to say I have enjoyed this very much, Curenzis notwithstanding sometimes.
       I have one recommendation of my ow this time , It's Bach - Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin by Augustin Hadelich.  I have sampled the D Minor and E Major Suites. Don't expect a Fischer, Kavakos or Vengerov as his virtuosity takes a different route. He has a softer tone than the previous three wonders. The great Chaconne of the D minor suite is a wondrous affair as it is played in a distinctly romantic style full and very soft playing. At the beginning of the piece I was reminded of Nathan Millstein with superbly clean playing and his arpegios  and especially his double stopping superbly clean. Although not for everyone at least his intonation and tone are beyond reproach. 
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