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
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
Gustav Holst - Edward Elgar

THE PLANETS - ENIGMA VARIATIONS

London Symphony Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Adrian Boult
Warner Classics   1970  /  2002

Holst:
I. Mars, the Bringer of War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtCNUEAVXbM

Elgar:
Enigma Variations (Boult LSO 1970)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QiKkl1BykY

Cheers



Édouard Lalo  (1823-1892)

SYMPHONIE ESPAGNOLE

Sarah Chang (violin)
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Charles Dutoit
EMI Classics 1995

Notes: "It was a new virtuosity that required new music, music that demanded of a composer more than a casual awareness of the violin’s newly enhanced technical and expressive potential. The Romantic age was at hand, and the Classical rules needed updating. Gone was the fey intimacy of the aristocratic salon, replaced by the vigorous, heightened atmosphere of the concert hall."

Symphonie Espagnole for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 21

I. Allegro non troppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6XPuxxGqVk

II. Scherzando (Allegro molto)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aVuA2vGZgc

III. Intermezzo (Allegretto non troppo)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdehIWWYxH8

IV. Andante
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXwpRIstAkY

V. Rondo (Allegro)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VknFp3dmNx4

Cheers