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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
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
938 posts
 
Well, I just had to order the Tabakova, too.

Just listening to a Nonesuch record I bought over a half a century ago, with some of the best sound ever recorded.  It’s of Bach Cantatas No.140 and No. 57.
Karl Ristenpart leads definitive performances of these wonderful works.  “Selig ist der Mann “ is a not well known, but gorgeous cantata, along with the ever popular “Wachet auf....”

I’m not sure if this cantata series ever made it to CD.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
1,457 posts
 
A couple more.  R. Strauss's Alpine Symphony is remarkably neglected for a composer boasting a number of warhorses.

And talking of warhorses, an excellent "demonstration disk" is Patrick Doyle's theme music for the movie Henry V; Simon Rattle + CBSO.  There are some stirring moments.
schubert
4,867 posts
 
I have never seen a Nonesuch CD of that .
Another Ristenpart Nonesuch LP I treasure is Haydn’s Symphonies 7,8, 9
"Morning", "Noon" and "Night " . with lovely Sarre CO . There are vinyl of these on Amazon .
Some of Haydn’s most charming works on any label .

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
938 posts
 
There was a whole series of Bach cantatas with Ristenpart on Nonesuch.
All of them with amazing sonics.
sevs
300 posts
 
While searching for RVWillians thru all the shelves, cabinets, and boxes, I was listening to Alan Hovhaness Symphony No.50 "Mount St. Helens" (DELOS SE 3711)... By its 3rd Movement, The Eruption, I have almost s$%#t myself! I could not believe that my lowly Naim Audio can produce the sound of such Volcanic proportions! It is my favorite Holst and Kitaro combined, stunning!!! 
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