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
Mozart - Schubert

SONATA, K448   /   FANTASIA, OP.103, D.940

Murray Perahia (piano)
Radu Lupu (piano)
CBS Masterworks   1985

Notes: "Mozart wrote the D major Sonata in Vienna in November 1781 to be played by himself and Josephine von Aurnhammer.  Fräulein  von Aurnhammer was one of his most gifted pupils, and she often appeared with him in performances of his concerto in E-flat for two pianos and orchestra, K.365."

Mozart:
Sonata for 2 Pianos in D Major, K.448/375a:

I. Allegro con spirito
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hlxrw1cpcI

II. Andante
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kPbm80jf7A

III. Allegro molto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY1ZXcgJqJ0

Franz Schubert:

Notes: "Schubert himself gave the first performance of the Fantasia, with Franz Lachner in Vienna on May 9, 1828.  The score is dedicated to Countess Caroline, a young piano student of the composer."

Fantasie in F Minor,  Op.103,  D. 940
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJhL-cFQh58

Cheers

Sergei Prokofiev

PETER AND THE WOLF

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Andre Previn
Telarc   1986

Notes: "When Prokofiev returned for good to his native Russia in 1933 from his years in the West, he quickly espoused the Soviet philosophy of promoting music that would appeal to the widest masses of the people.  "It is the duty of the composer to serve his fellow men, to beautify life and point the way to a radiant future," he said."

I guess the West didn't impress him.

Peter and the Wolf, a symphonic fairy tale for children Op. 67 (1936)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQW30nE93Qw

Cheers
My favorite recording of Prokofiev’s homage to Haydn.  Wonderful performance.  For an orchestra to play with this level of cohesion without a conductor is miraculous.