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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 rcprince

rcprince
3,061 posts
 

I've always liked Pinnock's Brandenbergs with the English Concert, although there are many fine ones out there.  I like the energy they project in their performances.  It's interesting to me how much the original instruments versions that now seem to predominate have made some of the old versions done in the 60s that I grew up with sound sluggish or too lush to me.   

rcprince
3,061 posts
 
Rvpiano, that Zander disk also has both versions of the last movement, the original version with the three hammer blows and the final with two.  I think one of the stories about why it was changed was that Mahler the conductor so identified with the hero in the symphony that he couldn't bear to hit him with the third hammer blow, so he took it out.  Don't know if it's true but it makes a fun story.  Many, if not all, of the Telarc discs of Mahler symphonies have commentary by Zander, making them worth seeking out.
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