Classical Music for Aficionados

Have been listening to symphonies and concertos by J.J. Raff, a composer who produced a number of orchestral masterpieces, was popular (even dominant) during his lifetime (romantic period) but is hardly known today.
A recording of his 5th symphony on Chandos is available from HDTracks at 96/24 by the Suisse Romande and Neeme Jarvi; typical Jarvi in being very, very fast and emphasizing the larger lines and gestures. Makes the 5th sound like a masterpiece but races through the 2nd Andante movement so quickly it loses its sublimity.
And I would offer a "Dives" award to this symphony's 2nd movement but, frankly, it's even better than that...
So this HDTracks download has sounded strange from the gitgo and I checked it out in the studio and there is noise in certain portions of the file -- noticeably in crescendos and other dynamic transitions.
E-mailed HDTracks about this and they responded with an "it's not our fault" e-mail. Third time I have tried HDTracks and they continue to disappoint. Surprise to get this kind of audio disappointment from Chandos. The promise of HD downloads continues to elude me.
So have settled on the 2000 Carthy recording of the 5th with the "Orchestra della Svizzera italiana." This "dynamic" recording is available from Amazon and has better tempi than the Jarvi.
Have, as well, the older Bamert recording with the RSOB and it is OK but a bit too sedate.
Raff's piano concerto is, similarly, a major work worth investigating.

Since there have been a number of string concertos mentioned in this thread, I figured I'd recommend something a bit different:

Tuba Concerto by Edward Gregson - John Fletcher on Tuba with the Besses o' th' Barn Band (Chandos Label 1982 Recording)

It's a great piece, fun, upbeat, with some jazz influence especially in the third movement.  The recording sticks the soloist far to the left of the soundstage, which is a bit odd, but maybe that's where he was standing when they recorded it.  It's the original ensemble and soloist the piece was commissioned for though, and most of the other recordings are orchestrations for full wind ensemble or orchestra instead of the original brass band as accompaniment.  

“The best is the enemy of the the good.”
 I have some 10,000 combined records and CDs, but am paralyzed to play any one of them until I find something that sounds the way I want it to.  It’s insane how the hi-fi compulsion takes over at times.
 Of course, the music’s the thing, but the ogre of sound gets in the way when you’re an audiophile like me as well as a music lover.  
If you let it.
Alas!

That's why I buy BIS Cd's and now buy only old Vanguard LP's from the 50-60"s , the sound is always good because these companies never made
a bad sounding one .
Vanguard was run by audiophiles and has most natural sound I ever heard .

Schubert,

 I’m listening to the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with Chung on Spotify right now.
 It is a gorgeous performance.

btw, In case anyone doesn’t know, One doesn’t have to buy CDs any more to hear virtually any extant recording in CD quality sound:
 If you buy and hook up the Chromecast Audio device (about $35) and you have wi-fi, all you have to do is access Spotify on your iPhone or tablet, and Voila!, you have the entire range of the extant recorded catalog available to you. If you don’t want commercials on Spotify it just costs you $5 or $6 a month.
The sound is almost identical to the actual CD although nitpickers will hear a difference. But, for the price .......
Technology is amazing!