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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 2 responses by shadorne

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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
You have chosen some good "pop" sounding composers. You may also like Shostakovich - try getting Lorn Maazel and the Cleveland Orchestra doing Shostakovich Fifth - they seem to be having a load of fun! Prokoviev is fun too. A lot of the Russian stuff is pompous and bombastic and can be fun (often based around military marching themes). Copland's Hoe Down is worth getting too.

Telarc is hands down the best quality in contemporary recordings....of course, like all labels - the performance/musicianship varies...

I also agree about Naxos and Chandos.

Stay away from RCA and DG - generally poorer quality stuff - although they have gems too.
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shadorne
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He belongs to the very small group of composers, who devoted his music to the tragedies of his own time.

I agree - but he often couched his tragic themes in military music that was acceptable. If you listen to the Lorn Maazel version if his Fifth you will know what I mean about fun - it has a furious tempo....and the finale, wow!!
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