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.


rvpiano
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I started a retrospective of British composers pre- and post-Elgar and Vaughan Williams.

First up: Sir Alexander Mackenzie.  Nice but not outstanding.  I recommend sampling the Violin Concerto and Pibroch Suite.

Currently: Hubert Parry.  So far I'm through Symphonies 1 and 2. Parry has real orchestral chops.  I can't understand why he is not more popular and most often played.  I guess he's known mainly as a choral composer, but that does him a considerable disservice.

twoleftears (and anyone else who might care), I noted in another post that you recommended a Schubert solo piano piece...so, have I got a deal for your!  Larissa Dedove playing Schubert's piano sonatas on Centaur. A 5 cd set for about $25 to $30. I'd never heard of her - they came to me by recommendation - since I love Schubert's music for solo piano I couldn't resist (even though my CD drawer(s) overflows.)  

Bottom line - excellent playing, excellent SQ, AND CHEAP. What more could your ask for (even though you didn't). This is easily one of the best sets that I have. :-)