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My Essential Classical Albums.


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2 hours ago, sphinxsix said:

I think that this analogy is wrong. I'd compare a bad old recording full of analog clicks to a statue of a woman (meaning the original music itself in this analogy) damaged so badly that for many it's quite difficult to appreciate its beauty.

At the very least, we should remove the moss and bird's nests.

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26 minutes ago, highEnd said:

Hello sphinxsix,

 

I have many recordings I would like to recommend to you, but I will have to give my suggestions in small doses- I hope you
don't mind.

Not at all. Quite the contrary - small doses reduce the risk of overdosing which happened to me on more than one occasion while checking music recommended on this thread :)

Linn and Channel Classics practically guarantee top-notch sound. I have some recordings issued by them but none of these. Will certainly check them out.

43 minutes ago, highEnd said:

I have many others I would like to suggest in the near future, from all periods, including some real stunners!

Thanks in advance, I'm awaiting your next posts!

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48 minutes ago, sphinxsix said:

Not at all. Quite the contrary - small doses reduce the risk of overdosing which happened to me on more than one occasion while checking music recommended on this thread :)

Linn and Channel Classics practically guarantee top-notch sound. I have some recordings issued by them but none of these. Will certainly check them out.

Thanks in advance, I'm awaiting your next posts!

Hello sphinxsix,

 

I'm glad you liked my last post. Consider this a sidebar, perhaps, but you said that you liked jazz and related music. Have
you heard the Analogue Productions reissues of Nat King Cole, remastered by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman? I have 5 of these on
SACD, and even the Redbook layers are stunning! Nat is dead center, 3-dimensional, rich and warm-sounding. Read some of the
reviews of the SACDs, and listen to the samples- You will immediately understand how special these are.

 

Love Is The Thing
http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/93839/Nat_King_Cole-Love_Is_The_Thing-FLAC_176kHz24bit_Download

 

The Very Thought of You
SACD: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/64376/Nat_King_Cole-The_Very_Thought_of_You-Hybrid_3-Channel_Stereo_SACD
Download: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/93705/Nat_King_Cole-The_Very_Thought_of_You-DSD_Single_Rate_28MHz64fs_Download

 

Just One of Those Things
SACD: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/64381/Nat_King_Cole-Just_One_of_Those_Things-Hybrid_3-Channel_Stereo_SACD
Download: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/93844/Nat_King_Cole-Just_One_of_Those_Things-FLAC_176kHz24bit_Download

 

I realize you wanted classical recordings, but these are essential as well. Sorry that some of these links aren't working
properly. When I highlighted, copied, and pasted them into my browser, they worked fine.

Have a nice day!

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9 hours ago, sphinxsix said:

 I'm a big AP remasters fan.

Hello sphinxsix,

 

I've been listening to several recordings, recently, that I consider essential for any serious library. I collect recordings of many different vintages, from 1940s up to brand new releases. I especially love the "Golden Age of Hi-Fi" as some audiophileslike to call the 1950s and 1960s, such as RCA Living Stereo, Mercury Living Presence, Everest, Decca SXL, etc. I'll start with some RCAs. I have several Analogue Productions remastered RCA Living Stereo SACD releases, and they all sound wonderful, with very wide, three-dimensional soundstages, plenty of "bass slam", and lots of details. You can hear pages turning, noises in the background, etc. My opinion of the sound is limited to the Redbook layer of the SACD (my DAC will not decode DSD), and my memory of the sound of my Classic Records 180-gram LPs (my turntable has been on the fritz, so I am unable to play them). Here are three of my favorites:

 

Spain
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner
RCA Living Stereo
SACD: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/91652/Fritz_Reiner-Spain-Hybrid_3-Channel_Stereo_SACD
Download: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/120158/Fritz_Reiner-Spain-DSD_Single_Rate_28MHz64fs_Download

 

Rimsky-Korsakoff: Scheherazade
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner
RCA Living Stereo
SACD: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/91663/Fritz_Reiner-Rimsky-Korsakoff_Scheherazade-Hybrid_3-Channel_Stereo_SACD
Download: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/110040/Fritz_Reiner-Rimsky-Korsakoff_Scheherazade-
DSD_Single_Rate_28MHz64fs_Download

 

Moussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures At An Exhibition

Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner
RCA Living Stereo
SACD: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/91650/Fritz_Reiner-MoussorgskyRavel_Pictures_At_An_Exhibition-Hybrid_3-
Channel_Stereo_SACD
Download: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/110037/Fritz_Reiner-MoussorgskyRavel_Pictures_At_An_Exhibition-
DSD_Single_Rate_28MHz64fs_Download

 

Next, I recently purchased two Deutsche Grammophon downloads of historic recordings, and I am continually stunned by the sound:


* I do hope you are taking advantage of the 20% off code on the left of the thumbnail photograph on the product pages!

 

I have a feeling you'll love this one.:D  You are transported to the concert hall!
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.3 / Ravel: Piano Concerto In G Major
Martha Argerich, Berlin Philharmonic, Abbado
Download: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/105293/Martha_Argerich-
Prokofiev_Piano_Concerto_No3__Ravel_Piano_Concerto_In_G_Major-FLAC_96kHz24bit_Download

 

Sorry, these links aren't pasting properly: the above links are on two lines.

 

In this download, the 'cello is three-dimensional, and sounds deadly real.
Beethoven: Triple Concerto / Brahms: Double Concerto
Geza Anda, Fournier, Starker, Ferenc Fricsay
Download: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/116779/Geza_Anda-Beethoven_Triple_Concerto__Brahms_Double_Concerto-
FLAC_96kHz24bit_Download

 

Finally, last year I discovered the Symphonies of Carl Nielsen, and I fell in love with his music. I originally purchased the first set of symphonies, but the second set was released a few months later, and I decided that I didn't want to live without either of them, so I purchased the second set as well. Both of these sets transport you to the concert hall, and are full of detail, snarling brass, and deep bass.

 

*Are you on the ProStudioMasters email list? They send discount codes every week, by email, for 15% off their downloads.

 

Carl Nielsen: The Symphonies & Concertos (Live)
New York Philharmonic, Alan Gilbert
Dacapo Records 88.2/24
Here's a review: http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=1855502
Download: http://www.prostudiomasters.com/album/page/4627

 

Carl Nielsen: Symphonies
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Sakari Oramo
BIS 96/24

 

Here's the reviews:
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=1664883
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=1803624
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=1065029

 

Downloads:
http://www.prostudiomasters.com/album/page/6705
http://www.prostudiomasters.com/album/page/6707
http://www.prostudiomasters.com/album/page/6704

 

I hope I didn't overwhelm you with all this!
 

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@highEnd As for your early music - baroque recommendations - I'm very impressed with all of them but in particular with da Palestrina (never heard his music before) and Vivaldi 'La Stravaganza'. I think I used to be one of those who took Vivaldi for granted. Not anymore - after listening to this album. And although this was a poor quality streaming and I listened to it through my old Sony headphones I did hear low bass notes resonating in the church the music was recrded in.

 

As for Reiner's Sheherezade and Argerich/Abbado album - I completly agree with you - both are great recordings, I have them. The remaining ones - to be checked out. Thanks for your fantastic contribution to this (costly :)) thread,, I'm counting on your further suggestions.

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1 hour ago, rando said:

La Cetra or basically any of the Podger Vivaldi's on Channel Classics are worth at least streaming.

 

71SiavvPbUL._SL1200_.jpg

 

I follow Rachel Podger recordings for a while, the sound is beautiful throughout. However artistic quality leaves me with some questions sometime. For instance, her highly anticipated recording of Biber's Rosary sonatas discouraged me for some extent, may be because expectations were too high. 

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Along the course of threads in this section I've noted a longstanding personal discord with pop music industry influence in the classical sphere.  Removing this from the arena where it could be seen as an attack on Podger.  I will say the promotion of young comely female soloists is a better example of putting an attractive woman on the cover to sell albums than the statement made by Naive. 

 

Who I see as issuing a very loud protest through blatantly using hollow eyed rail thin fashion models in barely there couture knowing it will repel.  Who quietly promotes artists, like Sara Mingardo, perseverance and musical ability far below the greater music industry's system.  Who bankrupted themselves to make music how their artists heard it inside.  I had hoped you would dig in with enough interest to see this...

 

 

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6 hours ago, AnotherSpin said:

her highly anticipated recording of Biber's Rosary sonatas discouraged me for some extent

Haven't heard it so I can't say anything. What about her Vivaldi - have you heard it? Did you like it? I liked it a lot, I'm not an expert on Vivaldi though. In fact I'd appreciate some more recommendations as far as his music is concerned. You may not include the obvious composition.

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2 hours ago, sphinxsix said:

Haven't heard it so I can't say anything. What about her Vivaldi - have you heard it? Did you like it? I liked it a lot, I'm not an expert on Vivaldi though. In fact I'd appreciate some more recommendations as far as his music is concerned. You may not include the obvious composition.

 

Yes, as I mentioned earlier I am following her art for certain time, and I found her recordings have consistently very good level. Of course Vivaldi, I heard cycles mentioned here. About obvious composition, it was over recorded so many times in so many versions, that it almost killed truly beautiful music. If you dare to try one more, I could suggest Alan Loveday with Marriner and ASMF. I read about this recording in a book of  Norman Lebrecht 'The Life and Death of Classical Music: Featuring the 100 Best and 20 Worst Recordings Ever Made'. This is fun book to read. One doesn't need to agree with Lebrecht on everything, but he is never dull and gives many interesting insights. Among his 100 list are many true gems, and some are quite rare.

 

Back to Vivaldi - I love some of his vocal works, such as Nisi Dominus, Stabat Mater, etc. Some of his concertos - cello, mandolin, etc.

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Hello sphinxsix,

 

I don't like to keep steering you toward such expensive downloads as the Linn, which have gone up in price in the last year or so, so I have another freebee I'd like to share with you: Rediscovery Catalog. These are all MP3 downloads, but DON'T let that put you off! These have been carefully remastered and have to be heard to be believed. When you unzip the file, you will get a couple of .jpg files that contain the cover art and fairly extensive liner notes- a very nice package: all free.

 

I would like to suggest you try the following to start with: 

 

Command Spectaculars! Start with tracks 2 and 3 (Debussy: Iberia), I think you will be more than pleasantly surprised.
Music of the World's Great Composers (A remastered Reader's Digest set, probably from the 1950s or 1960s)
Wagner: The Forgotten Recordings

 

These can be downloaded from http://www.rediscovery.us/compilations.html

 

These recordings, to the best of my knowledge, aren't available anywhere else. Their copyrights have expired, and major labels like RCA don't seem interested in reissuing them, for some reason.

 

Back to the high-resolution recommendations:

The following three Linn downloads all have excellent music and stunning sound quality. If you only want to pick one to start with, I would suggest the last one, La Gamme by Trio Sonnerie. The recording puts the musicians right in your listening room. Don't have the volume up too high the first time you play this one.

 

Linn Records: Early Music

 

Lawes: The Royal Consort
Phantasm
http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-lawes-the-royal-consort.aspx

 

Linn Records: Baroque Music

 

Corelli: Concerti Grossi, Opus 6
The Avison Ensemble
http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-corelli-opus-6-concerti-grossi-avison-ensemble-ckd-411.aspx

 

La Gamme: Trio Sonnerie
http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-la-gamme.aspx

 

These last three are reissues of Everest recordings from the 1950s, two recorded using Westrex 35mm film recorders. The sound of the film is nothing less than amazing. The 35mm film masters are in very bad condition, and are turning to vinegar, as I understand, due to the metal cannisters they were stored in. Making digital masters from them is not a pleasant experience.


Here are some ads and history of 35mm film, including Mercury Living Presence, Everest, and Command Records:
http://aes-media.org/historical/pdf/fine_35mm-fad.pdf

 

Bartok: Concerto For Orchestra
Houston Symphony Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski, recorded in 1960 on 3-track 35mm film and played back on a modified Westrex-1551
http://www.hdtracks.com/hso-stokowski-bartok-concerto-for-orchestra?___store=default&nosto=nosto-page-search2

 

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5
London Symphony Orchestra, Malcolm Sargent recorded in 1959 on 3-track 35mm film and played back on a modified Westrex-1551.
http://www.hdtracks.com/lso-sargent-prokofiev-symphony-no-5?___store=default&nosto=nosto-page-product3

 

Copland: Symphony No. 3
London Symphony Orchestra, Copland conducting, recorded in 1958 on 3-track half-inch tape.
http://www.hdtracks.com/copland-symphony-no-3

 

Much more to come from Linn, Everest, etc.!

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On 7.09.2017 at 5:27 PM, Musicophile said:

 

Just in case nevertheless, here is my recommendation for the "obvious composition":

 

https://musicophilesblog.com/2015/10/19/my-favorite-four-seasons-by-giuliano-carmignola/

 

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A very nice performance IMO too. Tempting but I haven't decided yet whether to get my 3rd version of the 4 Seasons. Actually I like 1976 Perlman recording. Anne Akiko Meyers' Guarneri violin doesn't sound that bad either :)

On 7.09.2017 at 5:27 PM, Musicophile said:

 

 

Also pretty well known but less totally obvious: The Glorias:

 

0709869013588_600.jpg

 

Yet another album that will be added to my 'Essential Vivaldi' collection, thanks. I've also chosen a very(!) different (quite grandiose and much slower) version by Riccardo Muti.

 

On 7.09.2017 at 10:30 PM, rando said:

Ever listened to "The Four Seasons Of Buenos Aires?

Yes, I have. Unfortunately I didn't like it (some other performace) that much. But this was long ago, maybe I should revisit this piece one more time.

 

@Musicophile @rando Thanks for reminding me that Jordi Savall performed Vivaldi too. That means at least one or two more JS albums in my collection.

 

19 hours ago, highEnd said:

I don't like to keep steering you toward such expensive downloads as the Linn,

Linn is ok :)

19 hours ago, highEnd said:

Rediscovery Catalog. These are all MP3 downloads, but DON'T let that put you off! These have been carefully remastered and have to be heard to be believed.

I admit that I avoid mp3 more than fire but based on your strong recommendation I will check these, thanks!

I didn't have enough time to check all albums recommended by you but I sampled:

On 6.09.2017 at 9:02 PM, highEnd said:

Spain
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner
RCA Living Stereo

among others and I liked it a lot. Actually Spanish influences in classical music is the question and suggestions request for all of you guys. You can omit Jordi Savall recordings as I have explored his discography quite close not long ago.

 

@highEnd Thanks for your recommendations, I will check them all out step by step (unfortunately I will probably have much less free time in the next few weeks). I really appreciate your contribution and hope for more!

 

On 8.09.2017 at 1:13 PM, christopher3393 said:

For the very best in Vivaldi, as well as other Baroque masterpieces, look no further than Red Priest:

I'm sorry - you haven't convinced me this time. I think I don't like the classical-pop (or any other genre - pop actually) crossover in general. Very energetic performances though!

 

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1 minute ago, sphinxsix said:
On 9/8/2017 at 6:13 AM, christopher3393 said:

For the very best in Vivaldi, as well as other Baroque masterpieces, look no further than Red Priest:

I'm sorry - you haven't convinced me this time. I think I don't like the classical-pop (or any other genre - pop actually) crossover in general. Very energetic performances though!

 

I apologize for omitting a smiley face.

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