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A personal "7 Wonders of (classical) music"

I was browsing in another forum yesterday, looking at thoughts on performances of the Rachmaninov Vespers and a poster opined that this was, in his opinion, one of the Seven Wonders of Music - a reference to the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

This set me thinking - what would I put on such a list - and came up with (in alphabetical order)

Bach Cello Suites
Beethoven 9th Symphony
Beethoven A minor quartet op 132
Elgar Cello Concerto
Mahler 2nd Symphony
Rachmaninov Vespers
Verdi Requiem
 

Clearly I could add another dozen or two works, but this seven first came to mind.

I'd love to see others' lists, and perhaps other threads for Jazz, Rock etc. could be started but I would not know where to begin in those genres.

Also, I have not referenced specific performances.  I'll think about that and try to post those thoughts later.

 

 

retiredaudioguy
jsalerno277
511 posts
 

Ancient music requires a certain state of mind personally, but when in that state, I find it hypnotic.   The recording of Bingin Ordo Virtutum I usually stream is performed by Sequential on Deutsche Harmonia Mundi/Sony Music Entertainment 1998 from Qobuz.  Great hall ambience retrieval, good timbre.  

For samplers I usually stream any of the 2L Recordings such as Psallat Ecclesia, Fingergull, Yule, Exaudiam Eum.  I am a fan of 2L Tecordings engineering.  If you are not familiar, read on their multi mike recording technique.  Any of their offerings are an audiophile sound quality dream.  On orchestra, their philosophy is to Mike as the conductor hears the performance, so it’s a up front presentation which some in this forum do not prefer, but I love.  
 

With exploring 20th century compositions do not leave out works Part, Cage, Adams, Schoenberg, and Glass.  Part is interesting from a tonal and structural perspective with his tintinnabuli (bell-like) minimalist style.  From a sound quality perspective, and with an eclectic choice of instruments, try streaming the 2L recording Borders.  
 

Enjoy exploring.  

msheldonsb
3 posts
 

Great post

dvorak cello concerto

beethoven 3 and 9

Tchaikovsky 4 and 5 and 6

wagner gotterdamerung 

 

retiredaudioguy OP
330 posts
 

@jsalerno277 indeed ancient music can be hypnotic. mesmerizing.  I did not know the Ordo Virtutum, I had a quick YouTube listen and shall definitely explore more.

I also took a look at 2L, they do have hi-res downloads and I'll explore there also.

Do you know the Rachmaninov All Night Vigil (aka Vespers)?  If not, find the Sveshnikov recording.

Many thanks

 

dmk_calgary
186 posts
 

good thread - thanks.

Handel - Water Music and also Concerti Grossi

Telemann - Darmstadter overtures

Saint-Saens - Symphony 3 - love the organ!

Dvorak - 9th Symphony - got to hear it live last week - nice!

Beethoven - 6th symphony - puts me into the meadow with him

Mozart - String quartets dedicated to Haydn

 

 

celtic66
1,958 posts
 

You guys are weird!  No, it's just that you are so deep into a space unknown to me.  I could do this with jazz and blues.  I'll take note and perhaps explore and expand upon my measly mainstream classical collection and weak education in that space.

Thanks for the flashlight shone in the dark corner of my collective.

More to discover