Recommendations for a few high SQ classical CDs


I have a modest collection of classical music CDs, most of it symphonic works, maybe 20-30 CDs at most. Most of my musical interest is with rock, roots rock and blues but I do enjoy classical music but have limited knowledge and experience.

I am also a new audiophile with my first hifi system for about a month now.

I would like some specific recommendations on just a few symphonies (for now). What I am looking for at this point is good CD recordings rather than the nature of the performance/conductor/orchestra. In other words, I'm looking for SQ first and performance quality second. I know that might sound backwards but I don't have enough knowledge to have a major preference between performances but I can hear SQ. Certainly a great recording of a great performance is ideal.

To keep things limited I am specifically interested in these works:

Beethoven's 9th
Mahler's 4th
Dvorak's 4th
Brahm's 4th

Certainly open to other symphonies by these composers. I have the works listed above and other symphonies by them as well.

Thanks for any recommendations,

George


n80

Showing 4 responses by daverz

It's much more than you asked for, but the Belohlavek set of Dvorak symphonies and concertos with the Czech Philharmonic on Decca is beautifully recorded and there are good prices on Amazon Marketplace:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00JOX77GE/ref=tmm_acd_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&...

There are also 24/96 downloads available.
It may be a bit of nostalgia, but I’ve always been very fond of the old Leibowitz "Power of the Orchestra" on RCA, first on Lp and then in gorgeous sounding DSD.

http://www.elusivedisc.com/Leibowitz-The-Power-of-The-Orchestra-Moussorgsky-Hybrid-Stereo-SACD/produ...

(Oops, didn't see that it was a pre-order.  I guess the SACD is currently out of print.)
Decca issued a big box with a nicely varied selection of music from their catalog, The Decca Sound:

https://www.amazon.com/Decca-Sound-50-Box-Set/dp/B018FCVK8U

IMO only one real clunker here: I cannot abide Ute Lemper's mannerisms in her Kurt Weill disc.  YMMV.  But that's a really good batting average for a box like this.