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.


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Franz Joseph Haydn - Antonio Vivaldi

CELLO CONCERTOS

Lynn Harrell (cello)
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Neville Marriner
English Chamber Orchestra
Pinchas Zukerman
EMI Records   1980-1983 / 1992-2001

Notes: "The Artists: Sir Neville Marriner was music director and conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra (1978-86) and the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra(1986-89).  He was made a CBE in 1979 and knighted in 1985."

"Pinchas Zukerman was music director of the St Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota (1980-87) and has also conducted or played violin in the premieres of works by Boulez, Lutoslawski and Takemitsu."

Vivaldi:  Cello Concerto in G Major, RV 413

I. Allegro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRc4JN-cRII

 II. Largo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXkfSecSKtw

III. Allegro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYShpgKZKKo

Cheers

Joseph Haydn  (1732-1809)

THE LONDON SYMPHONIES  VOL. 1

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis
Philips  1977,1978,1980,1981,1982  / 1994

Notes: "Symphony No. 95 in C minor is scored for strings and pairs of flutes, oboes, bassoons, horns, trumpets and timpani and was probably performed for the first time on 29 April 1791.  It is the only one of the London symphonies not to begin with a slow introduction, and the only one in a minor key (although this only applies to the first movement, which ends in C major, and to the minuet)."

Symphony in C minor, No. 95

1. Allegro moderato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWGAsqXgDao

2. Andante
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdDw5FPJAY0

3. Menuetto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2tyw3gryfs

4. Finale (Vivace)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX0MAzFBtmM

Cheers

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

THE LONDON SYMPHONIES VOL. 1

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis
Philips 1977,1978,1980,1981,1982 / 1994

Notes: "Symphony No.96 in D, scored like No. 95, was for years known, incorrectly, as "The Miracle" (see No. 102) and was possibly performed at Salomon's first concert in 1791, on 11 March."

Symphony in D, No. 96   "Miracle"

1. Adagio - Allegro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8MLzBBBL7U

2. Andante
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR4iWiwx8ro

3. Menuetto (Allegretto)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq22Z1z0XAk

4. Finale (Vivace)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbdsuZv4kCA

Cheers







Joseph Haydn

SYMPHONIES 68 & 93-104 "LONDON"

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Teldec Classics / Warner Classics and Jazz 1987-1993 / 2006
5CD Box Set

Notes: "...The last phase of the Turkish wars was two years past, but its horrors must have impressed Haydn deeply, for his choice of "Turkish" instruments was not designed to be exotic and picturesque, but rather to serve as a warning. In this sense it would be permissible to speak of an "anti-military" Symphony."

Symphony No. 100 in G major "Military"

I. Adagio - Allegro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH06_0w7K1g

II. Allegretto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSQfT_rOU30

III. Menuet (Moderato)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WewPKUTikGY

IV. Finale (Presto)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XfW42rSBok

Cheers