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Best recording labels for orchestral music

I am in the process of building my music library. Some of my favorite composers are Holst, Copland, Gershwin, and Ravel to name a few. The problem is I'm not sure which recording label to go with on these and other artists. For example I have a recording of Holst's Planets performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by John Williams. The recoding label is Decca. This has got to be one of the best recordings I've heard of this piece of music.
My question is this: Are there specific recording labels to stay away from and which in your opinion are the better ones to look at?

Thanks.
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Showing 1 response by ludimagis

ludimagis
128 posts
 
i've only been into classical music for the past 5-6 years, so I'm no expert. I generally prefer conductors from the 50's-70's,

So I have found a few remasters that I love from these:

Decca Legends 96kHz 24 bit remastered
EMI
Philips 50 great recordings remastered
RCA Red Seal remastered
Mercury Living Presence remastered

These labels are for the most part excellent:

Reference Recordings
AliaVox (Early & Baroque)
Harmonia Mundi
Archiv (Baroque)
Telarc (most but not all)
Chandos (English composers)

and some great budget recordings from:

Naxos
Sony

Of the conducters you mention I have a Decca remaster of Ravel/
Dutoit & Montreal/ Daphis et Chloe; that is great.

Good luck
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