I agree -- very tough to pick only 5 or to be confident that this 5 is the right 5. That said, I would include, at least:
Joseph Flummerfelt and the Westminster Choir "Like as a Hart," for its choral sound and sensibility and because it includes Edward Bainton's And I Saw a New Heaven;
Emil Gilels playing the Brahms No. 2, because of the incredible broad tempo at the beginning and because it's Brahms (Let Nothing Ever Grieve You is also on the Flummerfelt);
The Sibelius Symphony No. 5 because I love the themes and the construction of it and (probably) because it appeals to the brass player in me;
Lyle Lovett's "Joshua Loves Ruth" because it draws me in and because of his ironic writing and his musicianship (Road to Empanada almost makes it entirely on the strength of "I'm a Long Tall Texan"); and
Shostakovich Preludes and Fugues, Ashkenazy, because it is such a towering achievement.
This leaves out so much -- Cassandra Wilson, Andy Bey, Prokofiev, string quartets, piano trios, Nojima playing Liszt, Shirley Horn, etc. Thanks, Newbee, for including the Faure and some Mahler. And thanks, Mrtennis, for the interesting task.
David
Joseph Flummerfelt and the Westminster Choir "Like as a Hart," for its choral sound and sensibility and because it includes Edward Bainton's And I Saw a New Heaven;
Emil Gilels playing the Brahms No. 2, because of the incredible broad tempo at the beginning and because it's Brahms (Let Nothing Ever Grieve You is also on the Flummerfelt);
The Sibelius Symphony No. 5 because I love the themes and the construction of it and (probably) because it appeals to the brass player in me;
Lyle Lovett's "Joshua Loves Ruth" because it draws me in and because of his ironic writing and his musicianship (Road to Empanada almost makes it entirely on the strength of "I'm a Long Tall Texan"); and
Shostakovich Preludes and Fugues, Ashkenazy, because it is such a towering achievement.
This leaves out so much -- Cassandra Wilson, Andy Bey, Prokofiev, string quartets, piano trios, Nojima playing Liszt, Shirley Horn, etc. Thanks, Newbee, for including the Faure and some Mahler. And thanks, Mrtennis, for the interesting task.
David