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

Barenboim is one of the greatest musicians on the planet right now. He will be sorely missed when he goes. If you want to hear him at his best with his conductors clothes on go to Qobuz or Idagio and look up Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with Liza Batiashvihli on fiddle, fireworks galore. Thanks jim for the Schumann.

@jim5559 

Re:  the Los Angeles Bjorling duet. Left me breathless. Probably left them breathless, too...

Has anyone heard of Witold Lutoslawski ? Polish composer. 

Just listened to his Variations on a theme of Paganini (1941) arr. for Piano, strings and percussion. There is only one recording made by Denis Matsuev on Idagio. 

This recording also includes a powerful performance of Shostakovich Piano concerto 1, and Schnittke Concerto for Piano and orchestra, which I also found very interesting. Appears Schnittke was influenced by Shostakovich. 

@ei001h I’ve got a couple Lutoslawski LPs. A Mercury Golden Import with Aftertones of Infinity. And Concerto for Orchestra and other works on Philips. A good guy... The LPs sit right next to my Lopatnikoff.

New to me but has been on my radar for a listen, Should have gotten to it sooner!