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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
 
Impressive list!
kef_lover
29 posts
 
rvpiano,

Glad to hear that you enjoy the Monteux Nocturnes as I do. As far as channel balance, try a mono CD or a jazz CD with a centered vocalist. The Nocturnes can be checked by playing the 2nd movement. There are divided strings that answer back and forth between the right and left channels and should sound equally loud. I have no balance issues with my copy. 
kef_lover
29 posts
 
schubert,

It looks like we share the same sentiment regarding the incredible gift that is classical music. There are times when I finish listening to a favorite piece on my stereo that I wonder how this can be LEGAL. Police should be approaching me with handcuffs at the ready. I hear "I’m sorry sir, but that’s twice this week you’ve played the Shostakovich 5th. You’re going in. Don’t you understand there are limits in decent society?" as I’m being led away to the squadcar.

It is simply too good on too many levels - emotionally, intellectually, aurally... I genuinely pity those who don’t share an appreciation for it.
If they only knew what they're missing...

schubert
4,867 posts
 
I feel that way too kef lover.
I feel genuine sorrow when I hear/read guys in their 60’s debating which heavy metal band was the greatest .

I never heard a note of Classical till my late 20’s and then
I heard the GREAT Swedish tenor Jussi Borling singing a LvB song on Armed Forces Radio in Vietnam .
It clicked with me like switching on a light in a dark room , true beauty in a place there was none .
Strange , because AFR never played Classical .I sometimes think I was listening to station GOD .

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
938 posts
 
I know I should love my music regardless of sound, but since my NuForce amplifiers broke down and have thus far been unfixable (although there is now hope,) I have not been able to reach that Nirvana except in a couple of cases. Shouldn’t be, I know . But it is.
 Really devastating!
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