Suggestions For Classical & Symphonic CDs

I second Dvorak's 9th. My favorite recording is with the full collection of Dvorak's symphonies (Dvorak: The Symphonies) with Istvan Kertesz and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Also, try Brahms 3rd and 4th. Consider the set with Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Brahms' double concerto is a must for string lovers (try the one with Oistrakh, Rostropovich, and Richter with Beethoven's triple concerto).

And don't forget Mendelssohn's string symphonies, as well as Dvorak's string symphonies.

There is LOTS of great classical music out there. Give some of these a shot and try listening to classical radio, either on FM, the Internet, or your cable provider, as these give you more of an exposure to music you might not otherwise hear.

Good luck!

Michael

For some of the most incredibly beautiful music for strings Samuel Barbers Adagio for Strings is right on the top. It is included on lots of Barber CD's. Slatkin's on EMI is very good and also includes some other very popular Barber music.

This is helpful. Thank you all. I haven't had a chance to pick up anything yet. Hopefully, I can find time tomorrow between the kids' soccer games, softball practice and the yard work I've been "postponing." After last night, I have something to reference. I pulled out the old Stereophile Test CD 2, from 1992 - Track number seven, Franz Schubert's Ave Maria, performed by a solo violinist and accompanied by an organist playing an Aeolian-Skinner organ. I don't know what you call this, but I found it to be deeply moving. A piece so beautiful it was almost tangible, or should I say it was sublime. I sat there in the dark and kept hitting the repeat button. I definitely want to explore more music of this type. I can't wait to get the kids to bed and listen to that one piece again. Please...more suggestions.

Thanks again.

Ben

1) Bruch Viloin Concerto #1. I like Heifetz best on this. if you pick up the RCA SACD you will also get Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto as well, which is another masterpiece.
2) Dvorak Cello Concerto. I like Dupre with Barenboim conducting or Rostropovich with Karajan conducting.
3) Elgar Cello Concerto. Get the one with Dupre, Barberolli conducting on EMI.
4) Brahms Piano Concerto #1 with Radu Lupu or Daniel Barenboim
5) Schubert Piano Music for Four Hands with Kissin and Levine
6) Tchaikovsky Symphonic Poems with Pletnev conducting, it's a set on DG
7) Beethoven 5th and 9th Symphonies w/Karajan
8) Tchaikovsky 6th Symphony w/Karajan

I picked up a nice compilation CD featuring many of the aforementioned performances and a Sarah Chang release - Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. I'm going to purchase some more disks over lunch today. I love the large sweeping movements in some of the Vivaldi performances, which are better recorded than the compilation CD released by Denon. I still haven't found anything that is as moving (for me) as the violin/organ performance of Ave Maria, mentioned above. That performance simply moves me. I can think of no other way to describe it than "hauntingly beautiful." I’m going to look for those types of solo violin performances and more performances with full orchestral movements –t he former for late night listening in the dark, at low volume levels and the later for cranking it up to live performance volume levels. The responses have been very helpful. This is a new genre for me. One which I never realized I would appreciate so much. Unfortunately, it’s like reading a novel by a great author only to discover that the pulp fiction you’ve been absorbed with no longer interests you.

Note: Jhold, per your recommendation I almost picked up Arvo Part’s “Alina’, but I wasn’t feeling adventurous enough to pluck down $20 for something I am totally unfamiliar with. Is it all piano?

Thanks,

Ben