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
  • From an internet review of Blomstedt’s new Beethoven Symphony cycle: “certainly among the greatest Beethoven cycles ever recorded.”
  • I agree!

Anne-Sophie Mutter

CARMEN - FANTASIE
Pablo De Sarasate
Anne-Sophie Mutter (violin)
Wiener Philharmoniker -- James Levine
DG 1993


Notes:  The critics try to find new and different adjectives to describe this wonderful artist.  They are running out of superlatives.

Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - Introduction. Allegro Moderato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI2RyUM4Hsc

Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - 1. Moderato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BShLM6sRdSE

Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - 2. Lento assai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beBmrLMZuRs

Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - 3. Allegro moderato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6L0Obr6igQ

Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - 4. Moderato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGI78c34P_s

Cheers





Just bought Vladimir Sofronitsky - Complete Recordings  Melodiya all NM Vinyl on eBay, to be shipped from Russia. Expected shipping time about a month. Has anyone heard this set or part of it? It was an impulse buy, knowing how much I adore Sofronitsky. The recordings are in Mono. I am not sure about the sonics. Looking forward to playing it on my newly aquired Technics 1200G with cadenza blue cartridge


I remember the first time i listened to Tallis in awe...24 years old 46 years ago....With my mentor audiophile friend now deceased....

With the "oceanic" interpretation of the Cambridge Choir... We were flabbergasted to say the least ....

This one with the small group of the Kings singers is very interesting, we listen more easily all simultaneous lines...

I had all Tallis works.....Only Purcell is on par with him in England for me and very few other one .....

The 2 are stupendous geniuses....


Cambridge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iHunHKvKd4

King singers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJDLQZWKWe8&t=63s


By the way this piece of music give a taste with only various melodic lines of the synchronised synesthesia of music in heaven.... Dont take my words listen to it... Rivaling with Bach and perhaps beating him at his game is difficult....Listen Bach motets to live the same experience with Gustav Leonhardt interpretation....
 Or Gardiner...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ00agLjPT0
Johann Strauss

JOHANN STRAUSS WALTZES
Wiener Symphoniker -- Yakov Kreizberg
Pentatone Classics 2004 SACD


The Notes: "In those days this intimate dance for two caused a scandal: bodily contact, public displays of sensuality, lasciviousness and eroticism were frowned upon. The waltz, due to these attributes and its suburban origins earned a dubious name; particularly it’s intoxicating effect would, evidently, lead to a loosening of good morals: "The waltz is an invention of the devil," wrote a Viennese newspaper in 1869. Ballrooms will pave the way for the conception of illegitimate children, or so feared guardians of Christian morality."

"Surprisingly Johann Strauss, as he explained to this third wife Adele, was no dancer."

Sound familiar? The more things change, the more they stay the same.  Of course, the Guardians could have been right. :)

Kaiser-Walzer, Op. 437 "Emperor Waltz"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4f-EWGp2iw

Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald, Op. 325 "Tales from the Vienna Woods"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP22qGAZQ4I

An der schönen, blauen Donau, Op. 314 "The Beautiful Blue Danube"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsfDiR2Ie7k

Rosen aus dem Süden, Op. 388 "Roses from the South"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6DlsG4cLWc

Cheers