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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
schubert
4,867 posts
 
Looking through my Schumann Symphony collection I found a set I forgot I had (normal these days).
Sounds like the original version and not like someone thinking they knew better
than Schumann !
Haitink /Concertgebouw/ Phillips 416 126-2 Excellent sound , far more natural than most CD’s . Just wonderful performances . Schubert, Schumann and Brahms , three birds of a feather, flying together . Thank you , God .
jcazador
68 posts
 
FTM
When I listed my favorite classical pianists, somehow I left John Ogdon off the list.  I especially treasure his Rachmaninoff.  I am not really a big fan of Rachmaninoff, but I love the Preludes and the Corelli Variations.
Also, when I mentioned Komitas, I left the best recording off the list.
Grigory Sokolov plays Komitas, Six Dances for Piano on his "Live in Paris" recording,  wwwnaiveclassique.com.
Review of a book about Ogdon here:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2014/apr/07/john-ogdon-biography-piano-man

newbee
4,093 posts
 
Ijcazador, If you haven't already heard this, you might like John Ogdon and Brenda Lucas doing some of Rachmaninoff's music for 2 piano's. On ASV CDDCA636. Suite #1, Suite #2, Prelude in C minor Op3 No2, and Russian Rhapsody. 
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
938 posts
 
I would like to revive this thread before it dies out.

 I was just listening to the “Decca Sound” box which has a  section of classic performances issued on Decca.  The first two I listened to were “knock your socks off” sounding blockbusters from the Decca catalog:  The Alpine Symphony with Blomstedt and Mahler’s 8th with Solti. Then, rummaging through the collection I selected theShostakovich 5th with Haitink.  As I listened I noticed the sound was markedly wrong compared to the first two.   The Haitink was, sure enough, a digital original — completely wiped out of sonic excitement.
Not that all digitals are bad.  Some are spectacular.  But it’s interesting that Decca didn’t do a better job of mastering for the “Decca Sound.”
newbee
4,093 posts
 
RV, FWIW you've got a tough job ahead of you if you want to keep this going. Just not that many classical music enthusiasts on this site, especially ones that will actively participate. 

Since you are a professional pianist I thought I would mention a compilation solo piano CD that I not only enjoy totally, but that I also you as a reference for my system. "Michael Sheppard plays Rodgers, Hough, Barber, Sheppard, Crumb, Corigliano, Wild, and Balcom, on Harmonia Mundi. I just don't tire of it. This is very accessible music for anyone who is a bit venturesome.

In the same vein, but for full orchestra, another modern piece that is not only accessible but very enjoyable. Erkki Melartin's Violin Concereto on Ondine. The Tampere Phil conducted by Leif Segerstam.  Hard not to like this piece.
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