Reference Level Recording of Classical on CD's?

Without knowing your preferences it is difficult.

I can list what I like:
I second Newbee's recommendation of Mahler's 1st symphony on Telarc with Benjamin Zander.

I also find Mahler's complete symphonies set with Chailly to be pretty good from both performance and recording quality standpoint.

Also, a must have, in my opinion, is Mahler's 2nd with Bernstein on DG. It is an older recording, but still quiet good and preformance is very good, emotional, typical of Bernstein's Mahler.

Shostakovich Piano Trios 1 and 2

Shostakovich's Quartets with Fitzwilliam String Quartet on Decca.

Shostakovich's 24 Preludes and Fugues with Konstantin Scherbakov on Naxos(although this is a good performance with good sound, I still prefer Tatiana Nikolaeva's recording).

Schoenberg, Silbelius violin concertos with Hilary Hahn on DG.

Rachmaninov Piano Concertos with Ashkenazy, conducted by Previn.

Rachmaninov Symphonies with Ashkenazy.

Shostakovich's 5th symphony with Rostropovich.

Bruckner's 8th symphony with Boulez.

Bach's Cello Suites with Rostropovich. This one is a box set.

Again, without knowing what type of classical music you're looking for, it is just a listing of some of the classical recordings I like.

Hope that helps

Hey guys, thanks for the suggestions... My usual listening habbit include mostly Baroque and Classical orchestral and solo piano stuff (Bach, Mozart and Beethoven). But although recently, I have been listening to more and more chamber and romantic period stuff...

One more thing, any sugguestions for late Mozart piano concerti or Symphonies? Those have always been my favorites.

Thanks again.
-Jeff

After going to Vinyl after 20 years of Classical on CD, there are only 3 CD's I kept for their stunning performance and sound quality: Vaughan Williams "Job," with Barry Wordsworth on Collins, (re-released on Naxos, same recording); Ginastera's Panambi with Gisele Ben-dor on Conifer, and Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra with Barenboim and the CSO. That's it, 3 CDs.

Mozart Piano Concertos - Most recent releases by Phillips with Brendel and the Scottish Chamber Orchesta conducted by Charles Makerras are excellent IMHO.

Jdaniel, I find that sad. But we are all somewhat self limiting in things that are not truly important to us I guess.

But, FWIW, why are you posting such a prideful description of your format choices in a Music forum? Post this in the ditigal forum for some brick's or in the vinyl forum if you want some friends.

Strange, I don't recall saying anything specifically negative about CDs...the three I mentioned happen to have what I consider extremely above average--spectacular in fact--sound for CDs. Your quick and defensive reply reveals more about your own misgivings about CD sound than my post ever could. Buh bye. : )