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Classical Music for Aficionados

I would like to start a thread, similar to Orpheus’ jazz site, for lovers of classical music.
I will list some of my favorite recordings, CDs as well as LP’s. While good sound is not a prime requisite, it will be a consideration.
  Classical music lovers please feel free to add to my lists.
Discussion of musical and recording issues will be welcome.

I’ll start with a list of CDs.  Records to follow in a later post.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique.  Chesky  — Royal Phil. Orch.  Freccia, conductor.
Mahler:  Des Knaben Wunderhorn.  Vanguard Classics — Vienna Festival Orch. Prohaska, conductor.
Prokofiev:  Scythian Suite et. al.  DG  — Chicago Symphony  Abbado, conductor.
Brahms: Symphony #1.  Chesky — London Symph. Orch.  Horenstein, conductor.
Stravinsky: L’Histoire du Soldat. HDTT — Ars Nova.  Mandell, conductor.
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances. Analogue Productions. — Dallas Symph Orch. Johanos, cond.
Respighi: Roman Festivals et. al. Chesky — Royal Phil. Orch. Freccia, conductor.

All of the above happen to be great sounding recordings, but, as I said, sonics is not a prerequisite.


128x128rvpiano

Showing 2 responses by dbb

dbb
155 posts
 
The classical repertiore is so extensive, I think the most useful response is suggesting some mainstream and some non-mainstream works that might open doors for those unfamiliar or minimally familiar with classical . These works are not necessarily my favorites but they might work to get the novice started.

Traditional gateway works

Symphonic:

Beethoven symphonies 3,5, and 9. Violin Concerto

Mahler symphonies 1, 4, and 9.

Strauss, Also Sprach Zarathustra

Stravinsky, Firebird and Petrushka

Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto

Brahms: Violin Concerto

Bruch Violin Concerto

Sibelius Violin Concerto


Chamber Music:

All Schubert Trios

Schubert string quintet in C, op163

Beethoven Moonlight, Pathetique, and Apsionata piano sonatas

Beethoven Archduke Trio


Non traditional gateways that might work, especially if you like driving rhythms or can tolerate some dissonance.

Shostakovich, Cello Sonata #2

Beethoven Late String Quartets

Bartok String Quartets, especially 4, 5, and 6.

Stravinsky, Right of Spring, Duo Concertante, and Violin Concerto

Also I recommend a book that is probably over 40 years old, but a wonderful introduction to the basic classical repertoire with recording recommendations:101 Masterpieces of Music and Their Composers by Martin Bookspan


dbb
155 posts
 


All my life I've tried to have the aha classical moment. Has never happened, with one exception: Gorecki #3. I own four versions. I find it profound. I own ten records by others, I try each annually to see if I'll warm up to them. One other contender maybe: Saint-Saens #3.

Anyhoo - I'll keep eye on this thread for ideas.
  To scott_w. You said you liked Gorecki #3. It is a musically unique and very profound work whose subject is death and torture.  In terms of subject matter you might try a group of songs by Mahler: Kindertotenlieder, songs on the death of children. It is very haunting and profoundly sad. I like the version by Janet Baker, Leonard Bernstein, and the Israel Philharmonic.

It was interesting to me that your other favorite was Saint Saens #3. Your might call this absolute music without a theme. It is a sonic spectacular show piece, but not profound in the way the Goredki is.
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