Classical fans, I need advice

I've been "into" classical music for some 55 years, mostly
of an orchestral nature---tonepoems, symphonies, concerti, etc.

Just as you mentioned, I also can't enjoy music that is poorly recorded. This has become increasingly a consideration as I've upgraded my music system.

Couple of years ago, I started listening to more chamber music than orchestral when I realized that---to my old ears at least--- a recorded performance of a small group is more "believable" than that of a full orchestra, given the confines of most listening rooms (mine is 24' X 17'). Since then, I have largely concentrated my purchasing and listening to recordings of small chamber groups--- string quartets, etc., and, in particular, piano trios (piano, cello, violin).

Which brings me to a couple of recommendations: (1)Anything by The Ahn Trio (they presently have four CDs), and (2) Hyperion's hybrid CD/SACD of The Florestan Trio performing piano trios of Faure', Debussy, and Ravel. Also give a listen to Dvorak's piano trios, Dumky and F Minor in particular, again by The Florestan Trio.

Funny you should mention Nickel Creek! In an effort to broaden my music horizons, I've started listening to bluegrass. I really enjoy well-recorded performances of small groups of acoustic instruments, strings especially.
I started with the several CDs by Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, Joshua Bell, etc., then the group Hot Rize ("So Long of a Journey"), and most recently, Nickel Creek's two CDs, "This Side" being the latest. At the same time, I bought a two-CD
set of bluegrass interpretations of music of the group "Phish"---a wonderful recording.

I can't close this ramble without mentioning, and highly recommending, two CDs by The Be Good Tanyas, three lovely and talented ladies from Vancouver. Titles are "Blue Horse", and "Chinatown", and their music defies categorization!

I'm almost willing to bet that this aims you in some new directions! Happy listening!
Jim

Schubertmaniac--I'm familiar with Kennedy but I don't have any of his CDs. From what I've read, one would actually have to see him in a performance to realize he's, as you say, a "bad boy"---rather unconventional in concert attire, to say the least. In re: Koechlin--- I have his "The Bandor-Log", from "The Jungle Book", on a CD sampler---Delos label I think (?). Thanks for mentioning him! I have now listened to several bits of his on Tower Records' website and rest assured I will be buying some of his music very soon. I don't know why I've never listened before, because he's from the same school as Auric, Poulenc, Milhaud, Satie, etc., all of whom I enjoy. BTW---as a "Schubert maniac", I'm sure you're familiar with his Piano Trio in E Flat Major. I was particularly taken by Kubrick's use of the second movement in one of the formal garden scenes from his movie "Barry Lyndon". I'm not sure who did the soundtrack performance, but The Florestan Trio's performance on a Hyperion CD is as good as it gets, IMHO.

Vedric-- I agree with you regarding Nickel Creek's two CDs. "This Side" was the first I bought. I liked it enough to then buy the original "Nickel Creek", which I like even more. From what I've read, "This Side" is very much a "crossover" effort. It scares me that they may very well abandon their bluegrass roots, which would be a shame. I promise to give Alison Krauss a serious listen if you will reciprocate and try The Ahn Trio (Kenji Bunch's "Slow Dance" and "Swing Shift") and The Be Good Tanyas ("Keep It Light Enough To Travel"). OK?

This thread has been very enlightening. I'm always happy to be aimed in new and different musical directions. By the same token, I hope I can do the same for other poor souls afflicted with this high end curse (but what a "fun" curse it is, eh?).

Jim

Vedric--
I'm aware of Alison Krauss's involvement in the production of both Nickel Creek CDs. This is good endorsement. Of equal importance is the fact that the great Doug Sax was responsible for the mastering of both recordings. Imaging and soundstaging are exemplary, IMO.
Jim

Vedric---Yesterday I took the plunge and bought a two-CD set of Alison Krauss+Union Station's live performance in Louisville. The music and recording quality are both great!
Thanks for nudging me in this direction.

I also bought another of the "Bluegrass Picks On...." series. I mentioned before the "Phish" version. This time it's Led Zeppelin. Never having paid much attention to original Phish stuff, I didn't recognize anything, but I remember lots of the LZ tracks from the heady days of their popularity. It's another very good recording.

I'm anxious to hear results of your end of the "dare", heh heh.

BTW---I just thought of another classical piece you might enjoy: Kurt Weill's "Dreigroschenoper Suite" (Three Penny Opera). I have several recordings, but my favorite is by The Chicago Pro Musica on Reference Recordings, the most recent version being in a two-CD set compiling, along with the Weill, music which used to occupy three separate CDs.
Included in the set is the suite from Stravinsky's "L'Histoire du Soldat", another of my longtime favorites (I still have the original Columbia mono LP of Stravinsky conducting).
Jim

Vedric--- I understand your frustration with TBGTs. As I indicated, their "Chinatown" was the first CD I bought, and it includes a libretto. I found this most useful in deciphering what was being sung, and particularly after I bought their other CD, "Blue Horse", which doesn't have a libretto. Perhaps I'm being naive about this, but I haven't once thought of their vocals as being affected. I simply chalked it up to maybe that's the way people talk in "their neck of the woods". (As a Tennesseean, I'll be the last to criticize one's dialect!!) I hope your frustration is not sufficient to preclude your actual purchase and extended audition of one of their recordings. But if it is... that's what makes the world go 'round, after all.

Your comment regarding your preference for a soloist or small group being backed by an orchestra strikes a similar chord with me, to wit: As much as I enjoy a string quartet, I many times feel something's missing, like little if any percussion, too much midrange, and insufficient bass, to put it in purely audio terms. I think this is the main reason I prefer piano trios, since a piano can sound like "an orchestra in a box", given the proper score and pianist. It can flesh out the presentation in the form of both percussion and bass.
The beauty part of the Ahn Trio (pun intended, since they are knockdown gorgeous ladies, in fact) is that, although classically-trained (Juilliard graduates), they delve into primarily modern music, most of which has been commissioned for them, in addition to older standard repertoire such as Haydn, Ravel, Dvorak, etc. They are a delight, IMVHO.
Jim