Let's talk music, no genre boundaries

Love Haydn oratorios including “The Creation”.  I recently listened to a favorite, “Il Ritorno di Tobias”.  I usually prefer to leave audiophilic stuff out of music discussions, but as an aside, if forced to choose, my Dorati/Royal Phil double LP is probably my best sounding large ensemble orchestral recording.  Love that recording.

@desktopguy 

Kiri Ta Kanawa has a very light quick voice. I looked her up to see if she was a coloratura soprano, but she wasn't listed as such. She was also pretty, which as an opera goer (perhaps a chauvinist in this case?) is important. I went to one opera where the soprano was being chased by all these men, and the stage set had her walk out on a long plank that bent under her weight. I had to literally stop myself from gasping. Was that plank going to break? I once saw a Carmen with a soprano who looked like a Carmen and it really helped.

I will check out "The Creation," I've never gotten into oratorio. Bach preceded Haydn and you'd think that I could get into later music if I am into Bach. I bought Bach's St. Matthew Passion with Klemperer conducting, but I never have been able to listen to the entire three records. It's a type of singing I don't respond to.

I will listen to Kiri Ta Kanawa singing Strauss. I keep reading about how good his lieder is, but it's another form I've had trouble with. I've gotten into Mahler's lieder, partly because I've heard it performed live and some themes are also used in his symphonies. I'll look for a version on Qobuz so I can play it on my stereo.

@frogman 

Sorry I mixed you up with @mahgister, thinking he was the one who couldn't get the Callas video. I hope you were able. It's marvelous to watch her sing. From what I've heard, watching her on stage was a big part of her appeal. 

@mahgister 

I also love Mozart's Requiem. I've had a copy for years by Neville Mariner. It's pretty beat up so I bought an SACD by Herbert von Karajan. I don't mind him on this piece.

@frogman are you referring to Dorati's version of "The Creation" (Royal Phil, London/Jubilee)? If yes, it's easily the best version of the four or five I own. Just my 2 cents. I'm nuts for oratorios, so many through the centuries. Handel is the master here, but other composers wrote spectacular pieces, too.

And while we're talking about liturgical music, can't overlook Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis" (masterful). Just the most epic piece of music from a composer who wrote epic music throughout his career.

I feel like a kid in a room full  of adults when the focus turns to Classical.

;o)