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Suggestions For Classical & Symphonic CDs

I’m not interested in opera and I have not developed enough of an appreciation for classical music to understand the different multi-movement structures and related musical forms of the genre. I’m not even sure if music performed by a symphony is necessarily classical. I do know that I like the grand movements of a full symphony with all the varying dynamics and passages. I can’t site any specific samples because of my naiveté with classical music. I do appreciate a solo violin, and I especially like passages involving all of the strings (violins, viola, cello and bass). I have acquired some fuller-range speakers and I would like to listen to some “full-range” string movements/symphonic movements). I have also been listening to music at a much lower volume lately – I listened to the Cowboy Junkies Trinity Sessions last night, in the dark with the volume at a very moderate level (as not to disturb my sleeping cherubs). It was a wonderful experience. I think I would really appreciate duplicating this listening experience with the type of music mentioned above. I do not have an SACD player and I am only interested in the very best of Red Book (production value).

Thank you.
Ben
2chnlben
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,768 posts
 
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
2chnlben OP
595 posts
 
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
calbrs03
184 posts
 
2chnlben: try here. It might help with your search.
2chnlben OP
595 posts
 
Thanks Calbrs03. Jhold, I went ahead and picked up Part's Alina during lunch today. The oh-so brief samples that I heard were compelling.

Thanks to all.

Ben
gsm18439
895 posts
 
I recently got a new cycle of Beethoven symphonies by Mikhail Pletnev on DGG. These are exciting performances that are well-recorded.
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