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
Starting a few years ago, I pretty much lost all my interest in classical music from the common practice eras (1600-1900). I was not exactly happy about the situation, since a large part of my music collection has been sitting dormant since then.

I listen to more classical music than I ever have, but most of it is from the mid 20th century until the present era. As well as, Bartok, Stravinsky, Barber, Britton, and the 2nd Viennese school.

So, since my tastes lean toward the 'thorny', YMMV...

This LP on the Varese Sarabande label, has a huge, well defined soundstage, and great imaging. 

Ernst Krenek - Static and Ecstatic

Performed by the LA Chamber Orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIwJGEOS6mY


Beethoven
GEORGE SZELL CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN
Symphonies Nos, 1 - 9  -  Overtures
Symphony No. 5
The Cleveland Orchestra -- George Szell
Sony Classics    5CD Box    No Booklet or notes.

No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPSHXW0Vv60

No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: II. Andante con moto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GQMSjO6R0Y

No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: III. Scherzo. Allegro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF2AtW0PF3s

No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: IV. Finale. Allegro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSc-M-80f-w

Cheers
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

PIANO CONCERTO NO.1 IN B-FLAT MINOR, OP.23
Lang Lang (piano)
Chicago Symphony  --  Daniel Barenboim
DG  2003

Great Booklet with lots of information. 

From The Notes: 
The Chicago Symphony played Tchaikovsky's B flat minor Concerto at its very first concert in 1891, two years before the composers death.
     Nikolia Rubenstein's claim that Tchaikovsky's first piano concerto was unplayable is one of music history's most famously mistaken first impression.
     After hearing the entire work, Rubenstein did not mince words, declaring the solo part was impossible to play and that the music itself was vulgar.  When he suggested it needed to be completely recomposed, Tchaikovsky insisted he would not change a note.
     Eventually it was played by Hans von Bulow in Boston in 1875, where it was a big hit.   The rest is history.

Allegro non troppo e molto maestose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h_0cr7CiCU

Andantino semplice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8pi8IvYhfU

Allegro con fuoco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV2KRF1zbiU

Cheers