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.
#3 The best I have heard is Otto Klemperer With the Philharmonia Orchestra .on a EMI Great Recording of The Century / Its in 1955 mono which is fine for me . If not for you there is a stunning 3 with the Basle Chamber Orch./ underGiovanni Antonini on Sony Classical ,. The best sounding and and very well done Beethoven is 2&70n BIS with the Minnesota Orch. /Osmo Vanska One of THE most beautiful recordings I have ever heard . P.S. Barbirolli never made a bad record ,
Nothing wrong with VonKarajin 3rds
There is a very good 1,2, 3 on a DVD I have . Michael Gielen/ German SWR Orch . Which is one of the fine German Radio Orchs.
I'm feeling like another version of Beethoven 3. I saw there was a recording by Barbirolli that looked rather tempting; anything else you would recommend?
Along with my agreeing, before 9/11 there was "trilloin$" missing (stolen). Put some of that towards inner-city public schooling. HUGHLY positive benefit!!
Nikita Magaloff - Pianist & Teacher [DVD] [2011] Magaloff listening and teaching 3 different students, including Philip Cassard. This video greatly increased my appreciation of the nuances of classical piano. It's in French, available from Amazon.
The gorgeous Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata is finally fully realized in a new recording by two young musicians: Hee-Young Lim and Nathalie Milstein. It’s usually performed as a vehicle for cellists to shine. This rendering includes the pianist as, at the very least, an active partner. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful Rachmaninoff. I just discovered it on Idagio after seeing it listed elsewhere. It’s on a brand new Sony release which contains the Prokofiev Cello Sonata as well.
Certainly plays for the Great One and not herself ! He’s one I’ve listen to a lot , comments over the two would be welcome. Piano is not my wheelhouse , I argue over String Qt.
Dina Ugorskaja Bach Fugue No 24 in B Minor, BWV 869 exquisite recently deceased Dina is daughter of Anatol Anatol is still going strong one of my favorite recordings is the two of them playing together https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH5lgcw6eD4
More Nikita Magaloff Chopin, The Complete Piano Music, 13 cds Scriabin, Les trois cahiers Great Pianists 067, 2 cds awesome, highly recommended
there is also a 21 cd collection that I cannot find
Ivan Moravec His Chopin Nocturnes are recognized as best ever. Moravec was already well known in Czechoslovakia when he was "discovered" by Alan Silver, who ran Connoisseur Records.Alan recorded him playing Chopin, and helped him get his first engagements in USA. Alan was incredibly skilled at making recordings, although what he actually did was considerably simpler than big time producer/directors. I knew Alan in Berkeley in 1967, nice man.
@schubert Len thanks to you I have been listening to Firkusni all afternoon , Idagio has quite a treasure trove of his recordings. I really liked On an Overgrown Path so thanks for reminding me about him. Have a good weekend.
London CS 6533. Sonata for Two Pianos and Variations for Two Pianos on a Theme of Beethoven. Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir. This is a must for piano enthusiasts as it was performed on a Pleyel double piano. This very rare instrument was actually two grand pianos in one case with one reflective lid. The remarkable thing is how well articulated the recording is. You can tell just which performer is playing just what notes. And of course the piano(s) match in sound exactly.
Len you talking about Janacek there brought me to mind of a disc I had ages ago and it was of all people Andras Schiff playing On an Overgrown Path and In The mists . I don't know what happened to it but I did really enjoy his playing of them.
I can’t argue with you Jim, or newbee either . I listened to Katchen and Lupu and they and Moravec all sound similar to me.But then, piano is not really my wheelhouse . Just something about Moravec I like a tad better. I see Brahms when he plays ,
Perhaps it’s because I love the piano music of Leos Janacek as well , where he excels .
Too bad Moravec didn't record more music for the solo piano. I have his Brahms Intermezzo Op117, #2 and OP118 , #2. This recording (Vaia 1096) was my introduction to Brahms solo piano music. Tough to follow up on this. Fortunately for other pianists, unfortunately for us, he didn't record a lot more.
FWIW I have two words for Volodos recording, somewhat dark and broad (sumptuous?), and flaccid. I agree with your thoughts ---
I took a few minutes this morning and listened to the Intermezzo OP118 by Plowright, Kubalek (a long time favorite - performances not damaged by the recording) and Lupu. I find Plowright's Brahms the opposite of Volodos'. He has 4 volumes of Brahms piano music and I wouldn't be without them. Not sleepy time performances. :-)
Although Volodos may be my favorite among pianists performing today, i really don’t like his way with Brahms as represented in this album. He plays in a hushed, sort of reverential manner, eviscerating the bones of the music. It almost sounds impressionistic. Brahms’ inherent counterpoint is somehow lost. While this is not the heaven storming music of his youth, Brahms is emasculated in this manner. Volodos’ tone is sumptuous, and the playing is immaculate. The recorded piano sound is really gorgeous. But, in my opinion these performances miss the mark by a wide margin.
Thanks for the reference. I haven't heard Ormandy's version in quite a few years - I disassembled my vinyl system and gifted it all, records included, to my son in law. Now I have only CD's and this is not one of them.
Reference Recordings LP’s are fantastically good. I’ve just never had much luck in finding good sounding CDs, even though my player automatically reads their HDCD encoded discs. I’ll have to try your examples of good ones. I’ve noticed that lately their philosophy has changed: not such a distant, undefined presentation. Even so, not state of the art as far as I’m concerned. btw, You might want to re-listen to the Ormandy “Symphonic Dances” Especially if your set has improved over the years. It was a revelation for me.
Stumbled upon a stunning Barber Knoxville 1915 done with British Chamber Orch. without baton no less , Won’t get better than these great musicians ! Literally took my breath away . A masterpiece in all its glory .
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