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.
I also like Barbirolli in 5, Leinsdorf as well. It’s hard to find a bad performance of 5. The 7th is a tough nut to crack. I hated it for years, but now love it. Abbado recording finally did the trick. Maazel also has a delicious 4th with Kathleen Battle ideal in the final movement. Besides Kondrashin, there are almost too many good 9ths to name, but Rattle does a good job. In the 6th, von Karajan is my favorite. Solti in the 1st, 3rd and 8th. Mehta is a surprising choice in the 2nd with the Vienna Phil., NOT the Israel Phil. These are favorites at the moment. Like most Mahler lovers, I have to go through myriad performances of the others I own to come up with more.
Who are some of your favorite pianists, violinists, cellists? What about your favorite composers, concertos, sonatas, symphonies, tone poems, etc.?
Horowitz, Rachmaninoff, Pletnev and Glenn Gould top my list of pianists. Violinists include Milstein, Bell, and, of course, Heifetz. As for cellists, there’s Maurice Gendron, Janos Starker and Wallerstein. Composers are a hard one. I love so many. But aside from the obvious Beethoven, Mozart, Bach and Brahms, there’s Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev and Stravinsky, et al. Favorite symphonies are Beethoven “Eroica”, Rachmaninoff 2nd, Mahler 9th, Mozart “Prague”, Prokofiev and Shostakovich 5ths, Stravinsky “Symphony of Psalms” and many more. Favorite Concertos: Any Mozart Piano Concerto, Glazunov Violin Concerto, Beethoven’s 4th Piano Concerto, Prokofiev’s 2nd Piano Concerto, Rachmaninoff’s 4th Piano Concerto. Any Strauss Tone Poem. Beethoven’s 2nd and 3rd Cello Sonatas, and just about any of his piano sonatas.
This is just a partial list. As you can see, my taste is quite conventional.
Alfred Brendel, Glenn Gould, Artur Rubinstein. Aaron Rosand, Milstein, Heifetz, Itzhaak Perlman. Guitarists Segovia, Bream, Williams, Oscar Ghiglia, Eliot FIsk, Manuel
Barrueco, Jorge Caballero, Ana Vidovic, Adam Holzman, Eduardo Fernandez all the obvious composers, plus: D. Scarlatti, Ravel, Debussy, St. Saens, Prokofiev, Bartok--too many to list but those are favorites Beethoven symphony #5, 9, 7, Mahler 1st Beethoven violin concerto, Ponce guitar concerto Prokofiev violin sonata #2, St. Saens #2, Bach unaccompanied violin partitas 1 and 3, sonatas 2 and 3, cello suites 1, 3 and 5 too many Beethoven piano sonatas to list but Waldstein probably the favorite
I'd be lying if I said Mahler's Symphonies were down my alley but his vocal works are . The greatest recording I know of is his "Ruckert-Lieder " with the incomparable Janet Baker and the New Philharmonia Orchestra/ Barbirolli . Warner Classics 566 9812.
To list everyone I like would go into the hundreds/thousands . To make it easy for an old man I'll just list my favorite 3 composers of the last century in no particular order . Ralph Vaughan Williams Leos Janacek Bela Bartok
I have the LPs of these recordings too. The only exception is the Archduke Trio, which I have on Sine Qua Non cassette and CD. The Horowitz CD comes from 2 LPs which I also have. And I agree, the sound quality of these LPs is uniformly outstanding. The Rite of Spring and Firebird recordings are digital, while the rest are analog.
I find the Dorati Rite on London to be the most "lyrical" recording of the piece that I've heard while lacking none of its savagery, and I've come to prefer it to the other performances I've heard. The only one that even comes close for me in that regard is the Leibowitz on RCA from a Readers Digest set.
The von Dohnanyi/VPO Firebird is very rarely mentioned, yet for me it beats out all the others because of it's flow and continuity, not to mention the incredible virtuosity of the VPO. I'm always left shaking my head at the genius of Stravinsky's orchestration.
I have 4 of the last 5 you mentioned kef lover (-the Archduke). The Bloch/Hanson/ Mercury is my favorite but all 4 are winners . P.S. I used KEF's for over 20 years .
One of the composers I have appreciated more and more in my old age is Ravel , and would hate to be without the Munch/BSO as well .
The Dorati “Rite” is also my favorite of the dozen or so recordings of it I own. Has been for many years. I had the digital LP before the CD was released. Wonderful sound for early digital, I believe recorded on a sound stage.
By the way Schubert, I still have the KEF 101s I bought in the early '80s. They have been modified and upgraded and are shockingly good, even when compared to today's high end mini monitors.
I had 101’s as well .Also 105, 103.2 , 104, and various Q series with Tweeter in the middle , My all time favorite was 104ab . Also had a huge pair of Brit IMF’s with fab transmission line base that used the most musical driver line up in history , B139,110 and T-27 ! (sob !)
B139? Is that the flat "racetrack" woofer? If it is, I have the same woofer on a pair of KEF C80s. They produce outstanding bass, but I much prefer the B110 mid on the 101s. The T33 tweeter isn't bad, but again I prefer the T27.
BTW, upgrading the internal wiring and replacing the resistor to the T27 was a substantial upgrade to the tweeter’s performance on the 101s. Replacing the wiring and bypassing the overload protection circuit (S-STOP) yielded a big improvement to the entire bass response. I also upgraded as many crossover parts as I was able to. They really sound quite wonderful. In comparison, the stock 101s sounded compressed, bass deficient, and the T27 had noticeable grittiness. The 101s, both stock and modded, are quite power hungry. I’ve found they sound their best powered by 90wpc Altec monoblocks (modified 1569s). Using this combo, the dynamics are quite impressive too.
The Brahms Sym. #2 Munch/BSO on RCA is the only other title that I don't have on LP. I believe its first stereo release was on a Gold Seal LP. I first discovered it on a Gold Seal CD. Although it didn't sound altogether excellent, I heard what I thought was potential if it were given a better CD transfer. I learned that it was a 2-track recorded in '55, so I knew it could be a winner. It subsequently received a good transfer to CD and is coupled with Brahms #4, also with Munch/BSO.
I waited a long time for the Debussy Nocturnes with Monteux/BSO to get a good CD transfer too, although I discovered it on a plum Victrola LP. I started with a mediocre Gold Seal CD. But it was finally released in excellent sound on the 2-CD "Monteux-Great Conductors of the 20th Century". If you don't have the set, it's worth the price for this recording alone if you enjoy CDs.
Yes, the Victrolas and the London Treasurys are often from the original master. A great example is Stravinsky’s “Song of the Nightingale” by Reiner. It’s demonstration quality and rivals the expensive Analog Productions reissue. Similarly, the Peter Maag LP’s on London Treasury of Mendelssohn’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture” and Third Symphony sound wonderful.
Just got the Monteux set. Gorgeous performance of the Nocturnes! One question though. It’s probably my system acting up again, but I heard most of the audio coming from the right channel. I don’t notice that with the next selection (Tchaikovsky.) Do you have the same phenomenon on your set? I would guess not. I think my preamp has to be defective.
I got the beginning of your post regarding Mahler’s 7th Symphony in my email but it seems the full text was removed from the forum. What’s up with that?
It seemed you were beginning to say you liked the symphony, although I know you’re not a Mahler lover. That is the most challenging symphony of the lot for most Mahler aficionados. It took me a long time before I “got it.”
I was taken by the performance of Adam Fisher and the Dusseldorf Symphony . Fisher handled the over-emotionality and variants that bother me in Mahler very well and it was a live performance from the Dusseldorf Tonhalle which has very good acoustics . IMO Fisher is formidable, as good as anyone around .Budapest is the most musical city I know about, fantastic audiences and he is very beloved there , so I’m not alone in that .
I don’t like music that seems "bombastic" for its own sake to ME ,which to me ,Mahler does . Obviously , says nothing about Mahler and a lot about me . Janacek, for instance, brings the house down but all in the service of the music and in an organic way and I love him . A lot of Mahler to me seems to turn back on itself like a dog chasing its tail. Hard to do that in vocal music , that, and my deep love of the German language make Mahler A-OK in that realm to me .
Of course I’m not a musician and reading Music Theory 101 from The U of MN bookstore and X thousand liner and program notes is the extent of my musical education . But we all have to listen with our own ears .
To me, Mahler is the greatest symphonist since Beethoven. It took me a long time to come to that conclusion. I, for a long time, considered him to be disjointed and arbitrary. But, once I found him, there was no turning back. Now Bruckner, I still have a very hard time with, but haven’t yet given up. Of course it’s all very subjective.
I’m new to this site and have not read through all the posts, so these may have already been suggested.
Regarding Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances. Analogue Productions. — Dallas Symph Orch. Johanos, cond., it is an audiophile favorite and I have the LP. However for my taste the performance by Ashkenazy and the Concertgebouw Orchestra on London is much more satisfying, even on CD. The tempos are more spritely and make the Dallas version sound draggy in comparison. I find it to be a very good digital recording as well.
Since rv mentions sonics, and is not averse to vinyl, I can recommend a couple which I find to sound quite natural.
"Stravinsky Conducts Histoire Du Soldat Suite" with the Columbia Chamber Ensemble on Columbia. Nothing like going to the source. ;^)
Also "Rossini Overtures" by Academy of St. Martin-In-The-Fields with Marriner on Philips, 6500 878. Interestingly there was another Rossini by ASMITF on Philips, 9500 349, which does not offer nearly the same natural sonic presentation.
Subjective indeed rvpiano. To me Brahms is the greatest Symphonist since Mozart . I listen to at least 1 Brahms symphony a day, every day and never tire of them . In symphonic realm only others I can say that about are Mozart and Sibelius .
Indeed, I love Brahms. Wrote my Ph.D. dissertation on him. Also, Haydn. Master symphonist. I even love some of his earlier symphonies. Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony is, to me, a masterpiece of symphonic writing as well as his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and other works. Of course, there are several other great symphonists.
Small world , I wrote mine on a German subject as well, The Weimar Republic . Slipped in a bit on the Weill/Brecht " Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny " .
I’ve been telling folks for forty years than Haydn’s 6,7, 8 (Le matin;Le midi. Le Soir) are treasures of light and love that are among the most lovely symphonies period . I loved the Max Gobberman LP’s , wish I still had them. My current go-to is Roy Goodman/Hanover Band on hyperion .
And yes there are several other great symphonists , several hundred. -LOL Classical Music is like a beautiful beach in the South Pacific in January where the most beautiful women in the world wait on you hand and foot with a 4 star chef bringing you the best of food in a fabulous room and the hotel pays you a thousand bucks a day for staying there !
Glad to hear that you enjoy the Monteux Nocturnes as I do. As far as channel balance, try a mono CD or a jazz CD with a centered vocalist. The Nocturnes can be checked by playing the 2nd movement. There are divided strings that answer back and forth between the right and left channels and should sound equally loud. I have no balance issues with my copy.
It looks like we share the same sentiment regarding the incredible gift that is classical music. There are times when I finish listening to a favorite piece on my stereo that I wonder how this can be LEGAL. Police should be approaching me with handcuffs at the ready. I hear "I’m sorry sir, but that’s twice this week you’ve played the Shostakovich 5th. You’re going in. Don’t you understand there are limits in decent society?" as I’m being led away to the squadcar.
It is simply too good on too many levels - emotionally, intellectually, aurally... I genuinely pity those who don’t share an appreciation for it. If they only knew what they're missing...
I feel that way too kef lover. I feel genuine sorrow when I hear/read guys in their 60’s debating which heavy metal band was the greatest .
I never heard a note of Classical till my late 20’s and then I heard the GREAT Swedish tenor Jussi Borling singing a LvB song on Armed Forces Radio in Vietnam . It clicked with me like switching on a light in a dark room , true beauty in a place there was none . Strange , because AFR never played Classical .I sometimes think I was listening to station GOD .
I know I should love my music regardless of sound, but since my NuForce amplifiers broke down and have thus far been unfixable (although there is now hope,) I have not been able to reach that Nirvana except in a couple of cases. Shouldn’t be, I know . But it is. Really devastating!
Bjorling was my father’s favorite tenor, and he was an opera singer himself. Bjorling’s voice was like wallpaper as I was growing up. Quite a story how you heard him first in Vietnam. As the years went on, Franco Corelli displaced him as my father’s favorite, though Bjorling and Domingo were still played very often. By the time I was in my 30s, my love of orchestral music had grown on my father and he only listened to opera occasionally after that.
schubert and kef, I didn't "get into" classical music until college, but that did not include opera. Over the years a few friends were opera buffs so I was exposed to it. I then developed some enjoyment for the music itself and added several opera overture recordings to my collection. But I still didn't care for most of the singing.
Then a couple of decades ago I happened upon an RCA CD, "Opera Goes to the Movies". As you might guess, that included arias by several well known singers which had been used in movie soundtracks. One of those was Bjorling performing "Nessun Dorma". That still gives me chills whenever I listen so obviously he became a favorite.
@rvpiano Didn't you get a Belles amp that you liked? I thought that worked out OK. I'm already anticipating the release of the new integrated, the Belles Virtuoso.
Took up clarinet at age 11. Played in all sorts of school orchestras (very musical school). Nothing like experiencing it "from the inside". Continued on in scratch bands through college. Friend at high school--father had a "fancy" stereo for back then, expensive Garrard deck, etc. etc., played me Mahler for the first time. A revelation. Soon after heard a series of broadcasts of Bernstein performances. Though by then I'd already started collecting Solti on Decca.
Although my first love is late Romantic/decadent big symphonic movement, I've recently completed a thorough exploration of Stylus Fantasticus, from early Italian origins through Bohemians et al. In many ways I find it more enjoyable than the "predictability" of the high Baroque (Bach, Handel, Telemann, Vivaldi, etc.).
I am using the Belles 350A amplifier, with which I replaced the 150A (I liked better) and, unfortunately, can’t return (a $1500 loss.). Doesn’t nearly match up to my NuForce monoblocks. I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with the Belles per se, but it’s a poor match for my system, most noticeably lacking in bass. I had audio Nirvana for many years with a perfectly balanced system and am very spoiled for anything less.
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