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
mahgister, thank you for the wonderful Neuhaus and Pollini clips.  I enjoyed them immensely.  What a great teacher of interpretation Neuhaus was.

“(Play it) a little more worried”, “...as if there is a sigh”

 Wonderful!
Kathleen Battle - Wynton Marsalis

BAROQUE DUET
Kathleen Battle(soprano), Wynton Marsalis(trumpet)
Orchestra of St. Luke's  --  John Nelson
Sony Classical  1990-1991

Wynton has the facial expression of the cat that caught the canary.  Informative booklet with nice photo of Kathleen and Wynton on the back.  And front. :)

Scarlatti: from 7 Arie con Tromba Sola: 1. Si suoni la tromba (Voice)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzwGzgdL9QY

Handel: Let the Bright Seraphim from Samson, HWV 57 (Voice)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7TPce4xLm0

Bach: Cantata No. 51 "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen", BWV 51
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TAg5H81xh4

Cheers







  • From an internet review of Blomstedt’s new Beethoven Symphony cycle: “certainly among the greatest Beethoven cycles ever recorded.”
  • I agree!

Anne-Sophie Mutter

CARMEN - FANTASIE
Pablo De Sarasate
Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin)
Wiener Philharmoniker -- James Levine
DG 1993


Notes:  The critics try to find new and different adjectives to describe this wonderful artist.  They are running out of superlatives.

Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - Introduction. Allegro Moderato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI2RyUM4Hsc

Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - 1. Moderato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BShLM6sRdSE

Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - 2. Lento assai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beBmrLMZuRs

Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - 3. Allegro moderato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6L0Obr6igQ

Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - 4. Moderato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGI78c34P_s

Cheers