2. music
  3. 132810-89202

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.


rvpiano

Showing 2 responses by mike_in_nc

mike_in_nc
1,185 posts
 
Has anyone listened to Derzhavina playing Haydn Piano sonatas yet as I did yesterday and have to say I enjoyed them very much. She has a brilliant tecnique and she brings out the quirkiness of Haydn’s writing.
Regarding Derzhavina’s Haydn disc, I have it and enjoy it very much. I agree about her technique and also about Haydn’s quirkiness.
Regarding Haydn and Mozart piano sonatas, I far prefer Haydn’s. They are more interesting, more playful, more varied, and less foursquare. Of course, I recognize Mozart as a genius of the highest order; IMO his operas and piano concertos never have been exceeded. Still, in this genre, Haydn reigned supreme (until Beethoven).
mike_in_nc
1,185 posts
 
I like the O’Conor Beethoven sonatas, too. I also like a newer set by András Schiff on ECM. It’s been a while since I listened to them, but as I recall, the sound is typical ECM (slightly more beautiful than reality), and the performances reasonably energetic but not heart-on-sleeve. I would recommend anyone interested in this music give that set try -- it should be easy via Tidal, Qobuz, or even YouTube to see if you like them.
P.S. Jed Distler said this, on Classics Today: " In sum, Schiff’s Beethoven interpretations may not suit all tastes, yet they invariably hold your attention, challenge your assumptions, and compel you to listen with fresh ears."
More to discover