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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
 
Ludwig van Beethoven

PIANO CONCERTO NO. 2 IN B-FLAT MAJOR, OP. 19
Leon Fleisher (piano)
The Cleveland Orchestra -- George Szell
CBS Masterworks 1961

Notes:  "The Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major was composed in 1794-1795.  Beethoven expressed some dissatisfaction with it, as he had with the C-major Concerto, and substantially revised it in 1798.  Even though the work is thoroughly charming and gracious in the manner of Mozart, there is a strength which is incontestably Beethoven."

Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 19: I. Allegro con brio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz9Ggd7j5BE

Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 19: II. Adagio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJwaiCSVWyc

Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 19: III. Rondo. Molto allegro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toVOEMUXSXg

Cheers
edcyn
1,876 posts
 
rok2id.  Love the 2nd Piano Concerto. My favorite performance is a fleet, unaffected 1940's recording featuring pianist William Kappel and the NBC Symphony.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
edcyn,

Could this be it?

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

I started my musical journey with 78's, but I don't have anything by Kappel.  Didn't really get into classical until the early 60's.  I do remember the NBC Symphony.  That's Toscanini's old outfit.   Everything seemed to sound 'better' back in the day.

Cheers



rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet

LATIN

Primarily a Classical group, but they do dabble.

Carmen Suite
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moblmkgUF-Y  --  toreadors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq01l9tnce8  --  gypsy dance
notes:"no one can capture the essence of Spanish culture quite like a foreigner."

Cuba
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jskxepO39tY  --  La Trampa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK6pRoIO9bM  --  Hasta Alicia Baila

Central America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34DgpjFUMek  --  Danza de Jalisco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1HgxeFsMpQ  --  Fragile

Spain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulP6BL8eY1U  --  Syzygy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY1izSUO9tI  --  En Aranjuez con tu amor

Cheers

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Here’s a recording I hadn’t listened to in ages. Beethoven’s late string quartets 131 and 135 done by Bernstein with the massed strings of the Vienna Phil. Achingly beautiful.

Also: is the slow movement of 135 really a significant foreshadowing of Mahler's slow movements... or is it just because Lenny's conducting it?
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