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
Robert Schumann

PIANO QUINTET

Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)
Artemis Quartet
Virgin Classics    2007

Piano Quintet in E flat major Op. 44:

I. Allegro brillante
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rMroOtrQas

II. In modo d'una marcia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxZNOlh6fdE

III. Scherzo (Molto vivace) & Trios I and II

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlXwwYt7-hQ

IV. Finale (Allegro ma non troppo)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljjU2OS2F-I

Cheers

Dmitri Shostakovich

COMPLETE STRING QUARTETS VOL. 5

Sorrel Quartet:
Gina McCormack(violin)
Catherine Yates(violin)
Sarah-Jane Bradley(viola)
Helen Thatcher(cello)
Chandos Records    2004

String Quartet No. 5 in B-Flat Major, Op. 92:

I. Allegro non troppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9-iW_9tQr0

II. Andante - Andantino
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5RDNPm_oPM

III. Moderato - Allegretto - Andante
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1VdImpYpmw

Cheers
Dmitri Shostakovich

STRING QUARTETS NOS.  5,  7  &   9

St Petersburg String Quartet:
Alla Aranovskaya(violin)
Ilya Teplyakov(violin)
Alexei Koptev(viola)
Leonid Shukaev(cello)
Hyperion Records    2000

String Quartet No. 7 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 108 :

I. Allegretto - Attacca:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAAIrKYCGzw

II. Lento - Attacca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM7NpRgrxDQ

III. Allegro - Allegretto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI6rxrDqSd8

Cheers

Martha Argerich & Alexandre Rabinovitch, Brahms, Variations, Sonata, Waltzes.

Perhaps not quite sublime like the Rachmaninov CD, but still very, very good.
Dmitri Shostakovich

VIOLIN CONCERTO

David Oistrakh (violin)
New York Philharmonic
Dimitri Mitropoulos
Columbia / Sony 1956 / 1998
Mono

Notes:"The work had received only two previous performances anywhere, when it was given its world premiere ten weeks previously by the Leningrad Philharmonic, October 29 and 30 1955. Directly after its first performance in America, the work was recorded for this record with Mr. Oistrakh once again as soloist."

Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 99:

I. Nocturne. Adagio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnMUdwOu_7E

II. Scherzo. Allegro non troppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv44X3Mn3Zk

III. Passacaglia. Andante
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsuQFMQ11RI

IV. Burlesca. Allegro con brio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZqyFtxMzNQ

Cheers