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.


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Here are my favorite classical guitar albums:

Carlos Barbosa-Lina and Sharon Isbin, Rhapsody in Blue/West Side Story. (concord ConcertoCCD 42012)

Christopher Parkening, Parkening Plays Bach.  (Angel CDC 7 47191 2).  Well, any Early Christopher Parkening album.

And some great piano:

The Art of Martha Argerich (DG).

Brahms Piano Works, Op. 116, 117, and 119, Stephen Bishop Kovacevich.

A little different, but amazing, mandolin:

Chris Tille, Bach:  Sonatas and Paritas, Vol. 1.

great choral/vocal selections:

Brahms Alto Rhapsody, Gesang der Parkening, and Schicksalslied, Robert Shaw and Atlanta Symphony.

Schubert Songs for a Male Chorus, Robert Shaw 

Mahler Songs of a Wayfarer, Songs on the Death of Children and Ruckert-Lieder, Thomas Hampson and Leonard Bernstein

Sorry, one more, and it’s a classical singer crossing to classical-pop:

Anne Sofie von Otter, I Let the Music Speak.


dweller:

Thanks for mentioning the Living Stereo of Reiner’s Mahler 4.
I’m listening to it now on the XRCD version. Forgot how wonderful it is.