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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
 
Johann Strauss

JOHANN STRAUSS WALTZES
Wiener Symphoniker -- Yakov Kreizberg
Pentatone Classics 2004 SACD


The Notes: "In those days this intimate dance for two caused a scandal: bodily contact, public displays of sensuality, lasciviousness and eroticism were frowned upon. The waltz, due to these attributes and its suburban origins earned a dubious name; particularly it’s intoxicating effect would, evidently, lead to a loosening of good morals: "The waltz is an invention of the devil," wrote a Viennese newspaper in 1869. Ballrooms will pave the way for the conception of illegitimate children, or so feared guardians of Christian morality."

"Surprisingly Johann Strauss, as he explained to this third wife Adele, was no dancer."

Sound familiar? The more things change, the more they stay the same.  Of course, the Guardians could have been right. :)

Kaiser-Walzer, Op. 437 "Emperor Waltz"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4f-EWGp2iw

Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald, Op. 325 "Tales from the Vienna Woods"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP22qGAZQ4I

An der schönen, blauen Donau, Op. 314 "The Beautiful Blue Danube"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsfDiR2Ie7k

Rosen aus dem Süden, Op. 388 "Roses from the South"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6DlsG4cLWc

Cheers


jcazador
417 posts
 
eioI love Sofronitsky.I have several collections of his recordings, including Melodiya, Vista Verdi, Brilliant Classics, and Denon (which is Japanese I believe).  I find all of his recordings wonderful.  Technically, some are better than others, but the playing is uniformly superb.  He also recorded with the Beethoven Quartet (Oistrakh, Gilels, Sofronitsky & Mershavov).
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,196 posts
 
eioI love Sofronitsky.I have several collections of his recordings, including Melodiya, Vista Verdi, Brilliant Classics, and Denon (which is Japanese I believe). I find all of his recordings wonderful. Technically, some are better than others, but the playing is uniformly superb. He also recorded with the Beethoven Quartet (Oistrakh, Gilels, Sofronitsky & Mershavov).
Victor Merzhanov a disciple of Feinberg is indeed a giant himself just beside Neuhaus and  Sofronitsky my favorite god....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B6MU3A61rc

The Feinberg sonatas by the way  are unknown treasures of modern piano.....
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Rimsky-Korsakov

CAPRICCIO ESPAGNOL, Op.34
Anshel Brusilow (solo violin)
Philadelphia Orchestra -- Eugene Ormandy
Sony Classical  1959 1962 1966 / 2002

Notes: "Rimsky-Korsakov composed the five movement 'Capriccio Espangnol' in 1887.  It was first performed, under the baton of the composer, in St. Petersburg on November 12 of that year.  Both popular and critical response was overwhelmingly positive.  Tchaikovsky spoke of it as a masterpiece, reserving particular praise for the instrumentation."

This work is one of the pieces that drew me to classical music.  Back in the days of the 101 Strings.  Way, way back, when American Orchestras made recordings.

Alborada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F4wfPlnQ90

Variazioni
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VGtc3Jf5Aw

Alborada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDfhHTKtCBI

Scena e canto gitano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQUZM6Srme0

Fandango asturiano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSRdqlMvrq4

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Ludwig von Beethoven

PIANO CONCERTO NO.5 IN E FLAT, OP.73
Mitsuko Uchida (piano)
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Kurt Sanderling
Philips 1998

The notes point out that this was written during the time of war between Napoleon and  Austria, causing the imperial family to withdraw from Vienna.  The slow movement reflects the political events of the time.   They also mention that by the time of his late concertos, Beethoven was too deaf to be able to play the work in public.

Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major Op.73 -"Emperor" -  Allegro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHfjfc2qgfo&t=14s

Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major Op.73 -"Emperor" - Adagio un poco mosso
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5EJwIOe7wI

Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major Op.73 -"Emperor" - Rondo (Allegro)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk2-0cWDsLU

Bayern Rundfunk was the station to which I always listened.  Technically outstanding.

Cheers
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