2. music
  3. 1397250653

What are your TWO favorite Symphonic Recordings?

Only one would cruel and unusual punishment.

My first would be Joseph Krips 1958 recording of Schubert's 9th on London with the London SO.There was a CD of it as well
which is also OP I believe. If you can find either it or the record at anything under a $1OO its a good buy. Personally
I would give 2K for one if I didn't have a copy.
More than once I've read a critic claim this was the greatest record ever made. The LSO was at the top of its game and gave
this uber- powerful symphony a power-house performance.

My second is the 1976 recording of the Brahms 2nd by James Levine and the Chicago SO in the acoustically wonderful Medina Temple in Chicago. Originally it was on RCA but can be had on Amazon as part of Sony Classical 3 disc set of all Brahm'4 symphonies and his great masterpiece the "German Requiem" for less than 15 bucks ! Very nice sound as well.
Levine does a near-miracle in capturing the 2nd Symphonys combo of power , lyricism and harmonic stability all at the same time.
Of all the great Romantic composers Brahms was the most learned, he literally had the music of 4 centuries at his fingertips, knew every note of Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven. It took me 30 years of listening before I really
got a glimmer of just how great he is.

A few words of Brahms on Schubert;

"Where else is there a genius like his,that soars with such
boldness and certainty ...he is a child of the Gods...who plays in a region and at a height to which others can by no means attain .
schubert

Showing 2 responses by mrmb

mrmb's avatar
mrmb
299 posts
 
Thanks for the contributions. Threads such as this are why I frequent this forum!

Dvorak's 9th. is one of my favorites and while I have several versions, I wasn't aware of the Chesky one. I just purchased it and Valery Gengiev's version of Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet.

Plus, from HDTT (HighDefinitionTapeTransfers.com), I downloaded the 24/96 version of Joseph Krip's Schubert's 9th on London with the London SO. This was my first download from HDTT, but at $1.70 each, for 4 tracks, I didn't think that I could go wrong.
mrmb's avatar
mrmb
299 posts
 
After just finishing listening to Krip's version, critical it is then "Schubert"!
The quality of this late '50's recording and the performance garner my critical approval! Bold and powerful, but delightfully uplifting.

On the other hand, I just began Dvorak's 9th. on the Chesky label. Sonically, compared to the Krips, it's in another zip code! One of the best, if NOT the best, symphonic recordings I've ever heard! But oh my, the performance is so beautiful and stirring! All I can say is wow, oh WOW!!!

After getting out my notes from a college music appreciation class upon obtaining my 1st. high-end rig, seeking symphonic music to intermix with my preponderance of 60's & early 70's rock, I still recall listening & quickly learning to love this work! However this is the illusive performance & recording of the New World I have been seeking, but hadn't yet found! My hats off to you "Almarg". Thanks for the heads-up! It's truly appreciated!

We have a date to hear Dvorak's 9th. in a few weeks! I upgraded our season ticket seats to the dress circle because of my love for this piece, but I can't see how it could top what I'm now listening to!

Music reproduction of this superb quality, more than justifies all the time money and effort spent putting together a highly resolved system! The big CAT JL3 monos and Soundlabs are really purring & singing tonight. Gotta love it.

This is the way a symphonic recording should sound, but only very rarely does. What a combination: Horenstein & Chesky! All I can say is, if you can find this recording, buy it. It's a real, but rare treat....smile!!
More to discover