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  1. #1
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Some classical recommendations

    I got a request for some classical recommendations from our member, frenchmon, and promised him to send some along. I decided to share them with everyone here too. Accordingly see Feanor's Thirty Classical Recommendations.

    The recommended recordings are not necessarily the "best" for the composition, just a decent one that I am familiar with. In reality I'm no performance aficionado.

    {EDIT} No doubt some people will note my inclusion of several contemporary works and question whether there aren't many time-proven, "classic" classics that might have been included instead on such a short list. Well I say (a) its my list and I like contemporary classical, and (b) people ought to know that, if classical music is "dead white men's music", and least the composers haven't been dead for as long as they suppose.
    Last edited by Feanor; 07-02-2008 at 02:50 AM.

  2. #2
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    Gracias, Bill Bailey, I was looking for some ideas fo chamber music...and you were right on time.

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    Where they at? Was there supposed to be a link or do I go some place else?

    Got any Adagio Trio?

  4. #4
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Opps! Link now working

    Quote Originally Posted by Feanor
    I got a request for some classical recommendations from our member, frenchmon, and promised him to send some along. I decided to share them with everyone here too. Accordingly see Feanor's Thirty Classical Recommendations.

    The recommended recordings are not necessarily the "best" for the composition, just a decent one that I am familiar with. In reality I'm no performance aficionado.
    Looks like the link I meant to provided wasn't working -- but it is now.

  5. #5
    Loving This kexodusc's Avatar
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    Heh heh...I feel like I'm collecting baseball cards again...."got it, got it, need it"...

    What? No John Williams?

  6. #6
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Williams, humm ...

    Quote Originally Posted by kexodusc
    Heh heh...I feel like I'm collecting baseball cards again...."got it, got it, need it"...

    What? No John Williams?
    Here's a Williams piece I quite like; just so happens it's not from a movie
    ...
    Attached Images Attached Images  

  7. #7
    If you can't run-walk. Bernd's Avatar
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    Thanks Bill.....

    ...for the list.
    After a few classical discs from fellow RR members and my recent gift of the John Tavener record my interest in the classical stuff has increased. From your list I own the Carl Orff and the Dvorak, so nowhere near in Kex's league. That's it, I am ashamed to admit, but I will put that right and your list is a good starting point I guess.

    Peace
    "Let The Earth Bear Witness."

  8. #8
    BooBs are elitist jerks shokhead's Avatar
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    On another forum i asked about a sacd of classical hits{or a greatest hits type}. The ones most have heard even if they don't listen to classical. I was told there is no such thing as a greatest hits.
    Look & Listen

  9. #9
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Yes and No

    Quote Originally Posted by shokhead
    On another forum i asked about a sacd of classical hits{or a greatest hits type}. The ones most have heard even if they don't listen to classical. I was told there is no such thing as a greatest hits.
    I dare say it would be possible to come up with a list that meets your criteiron, as you say, "The ones most have heard even if they don't listen to classical", However I certainly wouldn't waste my time or anyone else's since the content would be pretty banal.

    My own list of "250 Core Classical", see below, is, IMHO, a decent survey of the classical genre -- granted no two classical music lovers would come up with the same list.

  10. #10
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Feanor
    My own list of "250 Core Classical", see below, is, IMHO, a decent survey of the classical genre -- granted no two classical music lovers would come up with the same list.
    Ha! I was using the Core Classical assuming you were having some kinda senior moment...when in truth I was having some kinda idiot moment...hehehe

    Actually, I'm diggin' 'em both.

  11. #11
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Senior moments ...

    Quote Originally Posted by bobsticks
    Ha! I was using the Core Classical assuming you were having some kinda senior moment...when in truth I was having some kinda idiot moment...hehehe

    Actually, I'm diggin' 'em both.
    ... are all too common for me, but then I've earned them.

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    I agree with Beetle Bailey above. Just look at his outdated politcal views!


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    shokhead, I think a better term to use might be a compilation of Classical music on SACD.

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    I too like Borodin a lot. The Ancient Music Society has an excellent recording of Mozart's 5 violin Concertos on a 2 disc set. Disappointed not to see my fav, Vivaldi on the list. I've liked everything I've heard by Vivaldi so far. I am interested in checking out some of the suggested choral. I've got a choral piece on a Tchaikowski that I like and I really like the soundtrack to the movie The Choir, it's very good but has a bit of a dark feel to it.

    Shokhead, some might snub but I found the Time Life series on Classical very good. The best thing I could recommend for beginner Classical interests and those wanting maybe a "greatest hits". My friend subscribed to them and I started borrowing them and got into stuff I liked, The discs came in almost a small book that gave good info on the artist and music. That's how I got turned onto Borodin. Another suggestion would be to look for comp discs that gave examples from a certain artist or period. For example, I love Baroque, it's my preferred Classical listening, I found some used discs I picked up that cover that period but are various artists. Also, be careful to stick with familiar labels, I've found some budget discs and Classical is not immune to the occasional stinker.

    Any suggestions for an audiophile recording of Beethoven's 5th? I can't believe how difficult this order is to fill. I have a few recordings and one is even on the Sony label and I'm not satisfied with any. As a side note, I personally feel Beethoven is overrated.

  15. #15
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Sacrilege!!!!

    [quote=Mr Peabody]....

    If you want a very different but IMO very fine performance of the 5th, try this "HIP" version by Bruno Weil and the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. The accompanying 6th is really outstanding IMO. And yes, I would say the sound is better than the Kleiber version if a bit "back of the hall". Beware, though, that not everyone approves of "historically informed performance" of Beethoven in general nor this one in particular.
    Last edited by Feanor; 07-03-2008 at 09:17 AM.

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    Feanor, have you heard any of the Ancient Music Society recordings? If not, I recommend them, not only do they sound good, the instruments of the period I feel give the recording a nice feel, especially different tone to the harpsichord. If so, do you like them?

  17. #17
    Aging Smartass
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody
    Any suggestions for an audiophile recording of Beethoven's 5th? I can't believe how difficult this order is to fill. I have a few recordings and one is even on the Sony label and I'm not satisfied with any. As a side note, I personally feel Beethoven is overrated.
    Try the DSD/SACD 2-channel remaster of the original Soundstream recording on Telarc of the 5th with the Boston symphony conducted by Seiji Ozawa. As a "bonus," you get the 5th piano concerto with Rudolf Serkin on the piano, and Ozawa conducting again. Two older Telarc discs beautifully remastered onto SACD for the price of one. And, if you don't have an SACD player, the CD layer alone is a huge improvement over the older redbook versions.


    Also, I for one, can't agree with your statement that "Beethoven is overrated." No way, sir.

  18. #18
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    I have not

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody
    Feanor, have you heard any of the Ancient Music Society recordings? If not, I recommend them, not only do they sound good, the instruments of the period I feel give the recording a nice feel, especially different tone to the harpsichord. If so, do you like them?
    Mr. P,

    Actually I haven't heard that group -- or of them for that matter. Perchance would you be thinking of the Academy of Ancient Music, music director, Christopher Hogwood?

  19. #19
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    You are correct sir

    Quote Originally Posted by Feanor
    Mr. P,

    Actually I haven't heard that group -- or of them for that matter. Perchance would you be thinking of the Academy of Ancient Music, music director, Christopher Hogwood?
    I pulled Vivaldi's Four Season's and Mozart's Violin Concertos and both are done by the Academy. Both of these are on my favorite Classical list. For one, I really like violin and Baroque, another, these are very good recordings. I was just curious to see what a dedicated Classical listener thought of them.

    I will check the recs for the 5th. Telarc has been consistent with satisfying recordings to me.

  20. #20
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Hogwood/AAM

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody
    I pulled Vivaldi's Four Season's and Mozart's Violin Concertos and both are done by the Academy. Both of these are on my favorite Classical list. For one, I really like violin and Baroque, another, these are very good recordings. I was just curious to see what a dedicated Classical listener thought of them.

    I will check the recs for the 5th. Telarc has been consistent with satisfying recordings to me.
    I do believe I have Hogwood's Four Seasons. I'm not trained to evaluate the performance from performer's perspective but I recall that it's quite good for a listener's. Perhaps I'll have a listen this evening. The sound is clean and detailed but a bit bright as I recall. I have at least one other Four Seasons by Trevor Pinnock & the Baroque Consert.; (my version is the original, not the remastered).

    I have a Hogwood Beethoven Symphony too; this Sixth I think. As I recall it's not my favorite version -- I much prefer the Weil / Tafelmusik I mentioned earlier. Maybe one should stay in the Baroque era with Hogwood.
    Last edited by Feanor; 07-03-2008 at 12:12 PM.

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    I was talking mainly from a listener perspective. There's no way I could begin to evaluate the performance. They could get by with a lot by me. I don't recall the Hogwoods being bright. I think they may be more near mic opposed to a lot of Classical I've heard. I tend to like that though. I agree though that this style of recording and playing is better suited for Concertos, not so much for full symphony.

  22. #22
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    Pardon moi...

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody
    Feanor, have you heard any of the Ancient Music Society recordings? If not, I recommend them, not only do they sound good, the instruments of the period I feel give the recording a nice feel, especially different tone to the harpsichord. If so, do you like them?
    ...for the intrusion gents, but if classical compositions played on period instruments are of interest may I recommend Martin Pearlam and the Boston Baroque? Released primarily on Telarc much of the series is in glorious hi-rez SACD. Some tasteful choices I'd add, "J.S. Bach: The Complete Orchestral Works", "Mozart's The Impressario/singspiel, The Beneficent Dervish", and "Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks/Water Music" which shall surely get some playtime 'round here on the morrow.

    http://mgn.musicgiants.com/AlbumDeta...px?ALBUM=94854

  23. #23
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    I know this topic has been quiet for 3 months but I would like recommend some music/ recordings.

    Bach - Mattheus Passion - either the recording of Ton Koopman (93) with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra or Philippe Herreweghe (old and new) with his Collegium Vocale

    Händel - Messiah - William Christie - Les Arts Florissant, best Messiah performence I know (Hogwood is pretty good too)

    Mozart - Requiem - William Christie

    Purcell - Dido and Aeneas - Hogwood

    Bach Catatas (any) - Masaaki Suzuki Bach Collegium Japan

    Vivaldi - Four Seasons, I prefer Andrew Manze

    Mozart - Piano concerto no20 and 24
    No recording recommended

    Mendelssohn - Hebriden's Ouverture
    Mendelssohn - A midsummer nights dream
    No recording recommended

    Bach - Ciaconne form Violin partita no2

    None of the above mentioned recordings are SACD as I do not own a sacd player.

  24. #24
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Thanks, Asterix77

    Quote Originally Posted by Asterix77
    I know this topic has been quiet for 3 months but I would like recommend some music/ recordings.

    Bach - Mattheus Passion - either the recording of Ton Koopman (93) with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra or Philippe Herreweghe (old and new) with his Collegium Vocale

    Händel - Messiah - William Christie - Les Arts Florissant, best Messiah performence I know (Hogwood is pretty good too)

    Mozart - Requiem - William Christie

    Purcell - Dido and Aeneas - Hogwood

    Bach Catatas (any) - Masaaki Suzuki Bach Collegium Japan

    Vivaldi - Four Seasons, I prefer Andrew Manze

    Mozart - Piano concerto no20 and 24
    No recording recommended

    Mendelssohn - Hebriden's Ouverture
    Mendelssohn - A midsummer nights dream
    No recording recommended

    Bach - Ciaconne form Violin partita no2

    None of the above mentioned recordings are SACD as I do not own a sacd player.
    I think those are extremely good recommendations. Were I to expand my "thirty" recommendations even a bit, I would include at least several of these works.

    (But note I started this particular thread only at the beginning of the month.)

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Feanor
    I think those are extremely good recommendations. Were I to expand my "thirty" recommendations even a bit, I would include at least several of these works.

    (But note I started this particular thread only at the beginning of the month.)
    Oops...haha yes I see...
    I thought February 2008, forgive me my mistake about the date notation...I'm european..we change day and month

    But anyway it was just a small list...and as you can see mainly Baroque, Classical and early Romantic period.
    I could also recommend some organ music, but I know from experience it's not easy listening when you want an introduction to classical music.
    There are close friends who I easily can chase out of my house with some serious organ music

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