Audiogon "RECORDINGS TO DIE FOR" list

1. J.S. Bach Unaccompanied Violin Sonantas and Partitas performed by Arthur Grumiaux (though I think overproduced, Itzhak Perlman's may have better texture, sound-wise, and be more liberal emotionally and in interpretation; regardless, a superb recording and performance)
2. J.S. Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites performed by Mischa Maisky (darker and slower than Rostropovich's)
3. Marhler 9th conducted by Bruno Walter (1961 version) (Or, Otto Klemperer's reading -- a tough choice)
4. Bruckner 9th conducted by Bruno Walter.
5. Shostakovich 10th conducted by Yevgeny Mravinsky, live (Phillips) (Karajan's readings on 10th -- recorded it twice -- are as superb).

1. Beethoven Bagatelles and Dances Vol. 1 (Naxos)
2. Copland 100 (RR)
3. Jacintha Autumn Leaves (Groove Note)
4. Peter Gabriel (Geffen) and
5. Tom Petty Full Moon Fever (MFSL).
I don't have a huge collection of CDs, yet. So, I'm sure this list will change. I hadn't really listened to Copland until late last year. The FWSO is performing alot of his works in celebration of his 100th "anniversary". Check out Copland 100 - the sonics are fantastic and the music is even better. Jacintha's voice is to die for in my opinion. Autumn Leaves is a great recording (maybe the original artists where better - but with her voice who cares). I discovered the Naxos label in a Stereophile article. They have some great recordings and at $5 or $6 each you can experiment without losing too much money. Peter Gabriel has always been my favorite Pop star (well, he and Phil Collins). I think Us is his best album (even if it contains alot of "re-releases"). Tom Petty has an interesting voice and for some reason MFSLs Full Moon Fever struck a chord with me. Thanks Jadem6 for a great thread. I'm going to check some of the other posters favorites.

Technically best recording I have is Denon One-Point recording : A set of five classical CD's (Vivaldi, Mozart, Liszt, Mussorgsky and Dvorak). They are apparently recorded using a single stereo pair mic without any mixing. The imaging and detail are unbeleivable. Unfortunately they are only available in German-speaking Europe. Denon in Atlanta didn't even know that these existed. I would strongly recommend this set. Catalog numbers are CO-78824 thru 78828.

On the top of my list is, The Famous Sound of Three Blind Mice on JVC XRCD, Bryan Ferry-Boys and Girls, Jennifer Warnes-The Hunter, Sir Neville Mariner and the Academy of St. Martin In The Fields-The Mozart Collection (Philips Label), and Vivaldi Le quattro stagioni (Decca Legends 1969), Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington-The Great Summit (The Master Takes on Roulette Jazz Label)

Oops, that should have read: Sir Neville Mariner and the Academy of St. Martin In The Fields-The Mozart Experience (Philips Label)