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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
7,847 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
7,847 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
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,847 posts
 
Ludwig van Beethoven

PIANO CONCERTO NO. 3 IN C MINOR, OP.37
Leon Fleisher (piano)
The Cleveland Orchestra - George Szell
Sony Classical   1961 / 2006

Excellent Booklet with a very detailed essay of the music. 

Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37: I. Allegro con brio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT0A-LG7gy0

Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37: II. Largo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1Nbm6VZ4Z4

Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37: III. Rondo. Allegro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLqR1dKwx9s

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,847 posts
 
Ludwig van Beethoven

PIANO CONCERTO NO.1 IN C MAJOR OP.15
Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)
Mahler Chamber Orchestra - Leif Andsnes
Sony Classical  2012
Recorded at Dvorak Hall in Prague's Rudolfinum

Notes:  Mostly a very interesting interview of the artist by Alan Rusbridger.  Andsnes  says that the idea for his playing the five concertos came from spending a week in a hotel in Brazil,  that had Beethoven's 1st & 2nd piano concertos playing on a loop in the elevator.  "at first I thought I would go mad hearing these works over and over again, but the more I listened, the more I loved the experience."

Just goes to show, it don't take much in the way of gear, to get what music has to offer.

Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15: I. Allegro con brio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO4_kvRjeZs

Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15: II. Largo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqYrDZUMcuA

Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15: III. Rondo. Allegro scherzando
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOmWIaO5mFw

Cheers


rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,847 posts
 
Ludwig van Beethoven

PIANO CONCERTO NO.4 IN G MAJOR, OP.58
Murray Perahia (piano)
Concertgebouw Orchestra -- Bernard Haitink
CBS Masterworks  1986   (also available on LP and Cassette)

Notes:  "The concerto is unorthodox for the time in several ways: in the very opening bars, which are played not by the orchestra, as was traditional up to that time, but by the solo pianist: in the cathedral-like grandeur of the development section of the first movement: and in the poetic expressiveness of the second movement, which achieves Olympian heights of eloquence completely unknown in the concerto literature of the period."

My thoughts exactly.  :)

Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58: I. Allegro moderato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9fxH2o0a84

Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58: II. Andante con moto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwiUfkKhpdY

Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58: III. Rondo. Vivace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkQmwaPosT0

Cheers
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