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.
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.
Showing 50 responses by rok2id
More "entry level", i.e. a good place to start. My favorite, because of the Chorus. Also available on SACD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Vpb9mRsOM Cheers |
The latest, Greatest Beethoven Piano Sonatas in the History of the Whole World. If you disagree, see my guru. He lives in Brooklyn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTfnbe6JI6s Cheers |
Just discovered these on you-tube. All are excellent and the camera work puts you right in the hall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEFceMhcyns&list=PL764FC1C2B52AEC62&index=8 Maybe some of you have not seen and heard them before. Cheers |
This week's, Greatest 5th in the World, the whole world, since time began. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPp3ltH80WU SACD also. Cheers |
This guy is probably known to you guys, but I just recently discovered him. Love his attitude. He is not too fond of Bruckner either. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHAiA1ud_uM Check out his 'Best _______' vlogs. Cheers |
All the elites smirked, even Ravel, but it’s still around, and is his most popular work. This is my favorite performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI73PK06MQc Cheers |
Beethoven Complete Piano Sonatas: Get it while you can, it will soon be in the clutches of "these sellers". 9CD Box. Sony. Excellent packaging. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWpLVh6IIRA Cheers |
This Lady really suffered in the "Worker's Paradise" during the "Cultural Revolution". They know how to destroy the meaning of words. Bach: Goldberg Variations Zhu Xiao-Mei -- piano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqrhGsB80Mk&list=PLr0MsaDpKsY9Rx6Mkk3mGuYnBPFx3UnfW Cheers |
I liked Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, 2nd movement, it had drama and movement. Classical Music: It was not ’Classical’ when it was written. More like ’Popular’ or church music among the powers that were. All Classical music is not created equal. Even from the same Composer. All performances of the same Classical piece are not equal. No One likes it all. In some cases, even the composer did not like what he had written. Beethoven wrote 9 symphonies. 1,2,4,& 8 are not in the same league as 3,5,6,7 & 9. And 9 is in a class of it’s own. So find the stuff you like, and explore that. Cheers Everything follows a bell curve. IOW, the more modern it is, the more noisy it gets. |
Beethoven 9, 2nd movement: I remember when this was the Theme for the NBC nightly news, with David Brinkley and Chet Huntley. This was before we had channels devoted to either Left-wing liars or right-wing liars. Back then, they just reported what happened that day. Seems sort of quaint now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8FnmdNi-Xc I actually have this performance of the 9th on CD. Did not realize until this very moment that it's on SACD! Cheers |
O-10 seeks drama? The entire piece (Pictures) is great and not too long. This performance is one of my favorites. Love the bass. The Russians always give the brass a little love. Great stuff, pre-Stalin of course. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kirSIsupt6o Cheers |
Excellent point about the instruments of Beethoven's day. But thankful we have the modern instruments. Esp the brass. I can only imagine that modern ensembles sound much better, with the ability to more faithfully recreate the composer's intent, than those back in the day. The excess that bothers me, is the body language and facial expressions of some of the players / Conductors. Lenny and Ochida being prime examples. No one can feel that much passion, instantly on command. Cheers |
Franz Joseph Haydn String Quartet Op. 71 The Griller String Quartet Vanguard Classics Quartet In B-flat Minor, Op. 71, No. 1: III. Menuetto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtJ3ud6BMHQ Quartet In B-flat Minor, Op. 71, No. 1: IV. Vivace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nqbAayZpzs Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2: III. Menuetto (Allegro) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BURIF3F4vck Quartet In D Major, Op. 71, No. 2: IV. Allegretto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEG5fnudsRo Cheers |
Franz Joseph Haydn Symphony No. 101 in D major "The Clock" Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Nikolaus Harnoncourt Warner Classics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wVTtkArkqo From the notes: ..."At most he could be called the Father (though not the inventor) of the classical symphony, who paved the way for Mozart and Beethoven. ...We need to remember that Haydn was already twenty seven when George Frideric Handel died in 1759 -- the same year that Haydn composed his first symphony. And when Haydn died in 1809, Mozart had already been in his grave for nearly twenty years. Beethoven completed his sixth symphony in the year of Haydn’s death, and Schubert would compose his first symphony four years later." I just love the factoids. Remembering the chronological order in classical music is tough. Cheers |
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 - 3. Rondo. Vivace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTRA8LqpDYc From the Notes: "The earliest ideals for this Concerto were jotted down in a sketchbook by Beethoven in early 1804. -- The work was performed for the first time, by Beethoven, in March 1807 at a private concert at the palace of Prince Lobkowitz -- The first public performance eventually took place on 22 December 1808, at a large benefit concert at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna. The concert was organized by Beethoven himself and consisted entirely of works of his not previously heard in public, including the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies and parts of the mass in C." Just think, if you were not at the concert, you just didn't hear this music. Cheers |
Schubert: String Quintet In C, D. 956 - 3. Scherzo (Presto) - Trio (Andante sostenuto) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKuqnybKnHo From the Notes: "During the five years preceding his early death, Schubert wrote seven masterpieces of chamber music -- Of these, the last, and arguably the finest, is the Quintet. The unanimous appreciation for this composition is epitomized by the comment of W.W. Cobbett in his Cyclopaedia of Chamber Music: "nothing so ideally perfect has been written for strings as this inexpressibly lovely work." --- Martin Chusid Cheers |
I recently received Schubert String Quartet, D-956, by The Takacs Quartet. I have not listened to it yet. All these folks are just great. I always thought when a Quartet went from Quartet to Quintet, they added a second Viola. Seems as if they added a second Cello on all the performances we have posted or discussed. The Easter music: I'm more of a "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord" type. But it was beautifully sung. Cheers |
they have a slight problem , very slight and one they I would not consider that a "problem". Besides, without American Individualism, there would be no Jazz improvisation. Reminds me when I taught in the Army electronics / Missile school, we had courses that were 'self-pace', and others that were 'lock-step'. The Europeans have always been "Lockstep". 400 year Catholic Classic: However, this SB loves Handel's Messiah. Not quite 400 years old, but, Just recently got a new CD of Messiah. Will post tomorrow. I listen to it year round. I understand it premiered in Dublin instead of London to avoid a religious ruckus. You probably know the details better than I do. Cheers |
MESSIAH, or HWV 56, for us elites. You can't go wrong with either of these. Recorded on two great Classical labels. No one can do this music like the English: Sinfonia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn5N5nMHHKE For unto Us a Child Is Born https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqbp_HUe8dk Robert Shaw, The Master of all things vocal: The Lord gave the word https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9zn1-AyBm8 Why do the nations? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT4RPAVYDlE Halleluja Chorus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmpDOWdsvWA Cheers |
Hess & Speer at Spadau: You know what they say, The Germans are either at your throat or at your feet. During the time you met them, they were in foot mode. I got to Germany a year after his (Speer) release. He was quite the celeb. Played the press and public like a top. I was also there when he died, in Frankfurt. If not for the Soviets, we would have also let the other monster out. Cheers |
Very nice piano playing, but bizarre interpretation of the music. Well, as you said, they are French, after all. A Stereo Review recommendation. I can still see the page. Now, I will have to look for Martha Argerich. There is always something.(Gilda Radner) Trust me, Black folks are not, and were never, upset over P&B. On occasion, they feel the need to 'act' like they are upset. Cheers |
FANTASY ON GEORGES GERSHWIN’S "PORGY AND BESS" FOR TWO PIANOS KATIA and MARIELLE LABEQUE(piano) The Notes: The fantasy is by Australian born composer Aldridge Grainger(1882-1961) who was an ardent admirer of the music of George Gershwin. Here the Fantasy is recorded in its entirely for the first time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paWmOS4sj6Q Bought this one years ago in Nuremberg, Germany. Still has the price sticker, 37.80DM. Made in ’West Germany’. Seems like a lifetime ago. I need to get the remastered version. Cheers |
I remember this scene in an episode or 'POIROT', everyone is dressed to the nines in this grand house to listen to some 400 pound babe sing 'Lieder'. Once she starts, everyone's eyes glazed over almost instantly. Trying, as discreetly as possible, to check their watches. How much longer can she possibly go on? I LOL when I think of it. Nothing has changed. Cheers |
Franz Joseph Haydn: SYMPHONIES 68 & 93-104 "LONDON" Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra -- Nikolaus Harnoncourt Warner Classics 5CD Box Symphony No.68 in B flat major : I Vivace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwfbGWkbJmU Symphony No.68 in B flat major : IV Finale - Presto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1reJbTg06us From the Notes: "London at the end of the eighteenth century was indisputably the musical capital of Europe, Parisian musical life having collapsed in the wake of the French Revolution. Music publishing and instrument making were flourishing in London, and above all there was already an unusually well developed and diverse musical life --- public, open to everyone and governed by the rules of a free market." Works every time. Cheers |
Mozart Serenade for 13 Winds in B-flat major, K. 361 "Gran Partita" Orchestra of St. Luke's Sir Charles Mackerras Telarc 1994 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBjDdKdq_tQ&t=258s From The Notes: "The composition of the B-flat Serenade(K.361) coincided with Mozart's decision to leave his post with the Archbishop of Salzburg(Mozart injudiciously called his "slavery") and move to Vienna. The Serenade was apparently started in Munich late in 1780. The earliest public performance probably took place as part of a concert at Vienna's Burgtheater on March 23, 1784. Of the event, the playwright Johann Friedrich Schink wrote, "I have heard a piece for wind instruments by Herr Mozart today. Magnificent! It employed thirteen instruments, and at every instrument a master. The effect was Grand and Magnificent beyond description." -- Richard E. Rodda Mozart's biographer concluded that Mozart choose this music as the entertainment music at his own wedding reception on August 4, 1782. Cheers |
Johann Strauss -- THE BLUE DANUBE Vienna State Opera Chorus Vienna Philharmonic Willi Boskovsky London label -- 1984 I remember the first time I heard this version, I was driving across Louisiana in my Taurus SHO, listening to PBS on the radio. Bought it as soon as I got home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntAsXVV7oCM The kind of music that attracts folks to Classical Music. Best LOUD! Cheers |
Johannes Brahms Violin Concerto in D, Op.77 Jascha Heifetz, violin Chicago -- Fritz Reiner Recorded 1955. RCA, Sony SACD 2005 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJFJgVYFQh4 From the notes: On New Year’s Day, 1879, the concerto was introduced at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, on a program with an overture from a suite by Franz Lachner, an aria from Mozart’s Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail and some Chopin songs sung by Marcella Sembrich, the Chaconne from Bach’s D minor Sonata for solo violin, and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. The concerto’s reception was typically Brahmsian in that it was simultaneously praised and damned. Tchaikovsky, writing to Mme. von Meck, called the introduction "an admirable pedestal for a statue." adding, "but the statue is not there: we get merely a second pedestal placed on the first." The tidbits / details are always fascinating. Cheers |
@edcyn: Your got me searching my record shelves. Yes, I've got that Heifetz Brahms Violin Concerto on a half-speed master "Red Seal .5 Series" LP. I'm committed to CD. Just so much easier. Btw, when I search my shelves I am always surprised by what I find. Esp the ones closest to the floor. :) Cheers |
Last night while watching an episode of "Endeavor" on the internet, this aria was part of the music soundtrack. The main character, a Police Detective, is a rapid Opera fan. Looking at the credits I found out it was from ’Madame Butterfly’. After searching my shelves, I discovered I had it on disc, 'The Ultimate Puccini Collection', and by the same singer that was on the soundtrack. Here she be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZZrD4_OAM4 I was not familiar with Ms Crespin Cheers |
Mozart Mozart Overtures Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Neville Marriner EMI Label, Recorded 1982 Marriner was one of the founders of ASMF. Now led by American Violinist Joshua Bell. From the Notes: " A night at the opera has not always been the event of serious enjoyment it is today. In earlier days, noise from an audience bent on treating the opera as an excuse for social merriment was likely to compete with the start of the music, very much to the latter's disadvantage. To combat this, composers developed the Overture (literally "opening"), in which instruments struck up with a few loud chords to quell conversation and capture attention ..... Gradually these chords grew into a complete and self-contained movement..." le nozze di figaro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOiTSAH7Bi0 don giovanni https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S45XHZbz84s die zauberflote https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cU1VyECXAg Sometimes, the Overture is the best part of the Opera. Cheers In case you wondered. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Martin-in-the-Fields |
George Gershwin PORGY AND BESS (highlights) Simon Estes / Roberta Alexander Rundfunk - Sinfonieorchester Berlin Leonard Slatkin Recorded 1984 Another one with the German sales price sticker still attached. DM39.95 From the Notes: Talks about the deeper meaning of the piece. The ’complex’ relationship between Porgy, Crown and Bess. Porgy and Bess, Good and innocent, vs the evil Crown etc... They were not written by Gershwin, so they should be taken with a grain of salt. I think it was, just like most music, entertainment. A German Radio Band???? It will be played to 'perfection'. Act 1 - Introduction - Jazzbo Brown Blues - Summertime https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2btC1lleG5k Act 1 - My Man’s Gone Now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyGnw2aO6R4 Act 2 - I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L76mHyEIQCA Act 2 - I Ain’t Got No Shame - It Ain’t Necessarily So https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVv-GgJtlMQ Cheers |
Beethoven VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin) New York Philharmonic -- Kurt Masur DG SACD Recorded 2002 The Notes Consist primarily of a conversation between Joachim Kaiser and Sophie Mutter. ASM: "It was in 1978, a year after my debut with Hebert von Karajan. He thought I should study the Beethoven next, which I did for half a year with my teacher Aida Stucki. Then, as agreed, I traveled to Lucerne to play it for Karajan. But a little way into the piece he said to me:"Go home and come back next year." (This is so 'German' of the Big Guy.) "Beethoven certainly never intended with this concerto to oblige violinists' cravings for technical antics" Beethoven: Violin Concerto In D, Op.61 - 1. Allegro ma non troppo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0Wc1cIJBRE Excellent booklet with wonderful insights into ASM, HvK and Beethoven. Thick booklet with glossy color photos and LARGE type. :) Includes a Complete Roster of the NYP. Cheers |
Beethoven EROICA - VARIATIONEN Bruno Leonardo Gelber (piano) Orfeo Label Recorded 1984 In the notes, they talk about and use the word 'improvisations' a lot. Maybe this should have been posted on JFA. Seems like here, the improvisations are done by the composer, not the player. 15 Variations & Fugue in E-Flat Major, Op. 35 "Eroica" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMt8IgOMjMc Another one from the dawn of the CD age. Made in West Germany DM35.80 Cheers |
Beethoven SYMPHONY NO.7 IN A MAJOR, OP.92 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Manfred Honeck, Music director Reference Recordings SACD Recorded 2015 From the Notes: "Critics did not comment on the poetic melodies, but rather on the rhythm as the main element of this symphony. Richard Wagner would later famously refer to the Seventh as "the apotheosis of the dance" and Carl Maria von Weber even remarked that with this work, Beethoven was certainly "now ripe for the madhouse." also As Beethoven wrote in his diary,... there were 18 first violins, 18 second violins, 14 violas, 12 cellos, 7 concert basses and 2 contra bassoons. We have likewise played both the fifth and the seventh symphonies in Pittsburgh with a similarly large cast. ... Additionally, we have used the Viennese classical setting of the orchestra, with the violins sitting on opposite sides of the stage, thus making it possible to bring to life the strong Orchestral drama. -- Manfred Honeck I think they succeeded. Allegro con brio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPzR6kaRsAc Cheers |