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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
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rvpiano OP
2,412 posts
 
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.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Mahler 5th Lorin Maazel and Cleveland Symph. Telarc
Racmaninov 2 and 3 Horacio Guitierrez Telarc
Anything Academy of ancient music Sir Chris Hogwood
Naxos and Chandos and Mercury living presence labels
Don Giovanni Ricardo Muti EMI
Anything from Neville Mariner or Benjamin Zander
+1 Fritz Reiner 


terry9
2,209 posts
 
@scott_w

Well, you are starting at a very good place. I know of only one performance on vinyl, soundtrack to the movie, "Police". Do you know of any others?

You might also like "Hearing Solar Winds" by David Hykes and the New Harmonic Choir (Ocora).

Also, "1000 Music for the End of Time" by Anonymous 4 (CD Harmonia Mundi), as many Christians expected the world to end in 1000 AD.

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geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Mascagni Cavalleria Rusticana, you know, the one with Tebaldi and Bjorling. 
whart's avatar
whart
2,966 posts
 
@scott_w
@terry9
That Gorecki #3 is very powerful, thank you (I bought the soundtrack Terry mentioned, but would be interested if there are other performances on vinyl).
Though not similar in style, but theme is the Kol Nidre on this famous old warhorse by Starker with Dorati: https://www.discogs.com/Janos-Starker-Dvořák-Bruch-Tchaikovsky-Antal-Dorati-London-Symphony-Orchestr...
The mono original is good and cheap, and the Speakers Corner reissue of the stereo is fine.
I’m a big fan of cello music, Du Pre, Starker, etc. Often the orchestra seems unnecessary. This famous piece was probably recorded many times by Starker but the early Period Records performances are wonderful: https://www.discogs.com/Janos-Starker-Kodaly-Sonata-For-Unaccompanied-Cello-Opus8/release/6124443
There have been various reissues of this over the years.
More to discover