My Essential Classical Albums.

[christopher3393]

here's one that hasn't been mentioned that I can recommend:

 

Vivaldi: Vespri Per L'assunzione Di Maria Vergine

Alessandrini, Concerto Italiano

 

 

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=205669

[highEnd]

4 hours ago, sphinxsix said:

Actually Spanish influences in classical music is the question and suggestions request for all of you guys.

Hello sphinxsix,

 

IMHO, the most legendary recording of Spanish-influenced music is the famous Decca SXL from 1957:

 

España!, Rimsky-Korsakov, Granados, Chabrier & Moszkowski
London Symphony Orchestra, Ataulfo Argenta
Mastered by Willem Makee
Analogue Productions

 

SACD: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/105124/Ataulfo_Argenta-Espaa__Rimsky-Korsakov_Granados_Chabrier__Moszkowski-Hybrid_Stereo_SACD

 

FLAC 176kHz/24bit: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/125604/Ataulfo_Argenta-Espaa__Rimsky-Korsakov_Granados_Chabrier__Moszkowski-FLAC_176kHz24bit_Download

 

DSD: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/125629/Ataulfo_Argenta-Espaa__Rimsky-Korsakov_Granados_Chabrier__Moszkowski-DSD_Single_Rate_28MHz64fs_Download

 

I have another recommendation that continues the Spanish-influence theme: Have you ever heard of High Definition Tape Transfers? They remaster commercially-released reel-to-reel tapes, and work magic on them. Unfortunately, some of them are from the 1950s to 1970s, and they may have a drop-out here and there, but when you hear them, you may well be willing to ignore that issue because they frequently pull better sound quality from those tapes than major record labels pull from the original masters!

 

Here is a recommendation, that happens to be a needle-drop of a legendary Decca SXL Lp, in remarkable condition. I don't remember this recording having any drop-outs or any other problems, including surface noise.

 

Albéniz: Iberia & Turina: Danzas Fantásticas
Ernest Ansermet Conducts L’orchestre de la Suisse Romande
Transferred from a DECCA LP SXL 2243 from 1960

https://www.highdeftapetransfers.com/products/albeniz-iberia-turina-danzas-fantasticas-ansermet-l-orchestre-de-la-suisse-romande

 

If you want proof that this is stunning, download the 2-minute 96/24 sample and the PDF booklet before you purchase, and judge for yourself. Also, scroll down the page, and read all the rave reviews in the left-hand column. And if you purchase this download soon, you will also get a good sale price (20% off, I believe).

 

I realize you are trying to get away from jazz and rock at the moment, but while you are on this website, listen to the 2-minute sample of the brand-new Mike Garson, "Monk Fell On Me" from International Phonograph, Inc. (Pure DSD), recorded in Chicago - Garson was David Bowie's pianist. I recently purchased this download, and it

puts a real piano in my room! (I have a vague idea of what a real piano sounds like, as I've studied classical piano for 19 years.)

https://www.highdeftapetransfers.com/products/mike-garson-monk-fell-on-me-international-phonograph-inc-pure-dsd-ipi

 

[EuroChamp]

Very short replay - I am lazy today. This is my Vivaldi first rate list (a screenshot out of J.River)

 

 

 

P.S.: Don't look at the Sony please, it is a sampler only.

[rando]

It cracks me up that despite making a special call for no Four Seasons almost every single one of us have posted one.  

 

Instead of multiple more I'd recommend Carmignola's "Vivaldi: Late Violin Concertos" and the ARTS.  If you don't own a copy of the L'Inverno you'll miss out on it would be a worthy addition.

 

 

 

[sphinxsix]

9 minutes ago, rando said:

It cracks me up that despite making a special call for no Four Seasons almost every single one of us have posted one.  

This is a lovely composition after all. I actually listened to my Perlman version yesterday. All I have to do to enjoy it (beside being in the mood for it of course) is to forget I've heard it a thousand times.

I think Zen Buddhists call it 'beginner's mind' - not always an easy thing to do

[rando]

I wasn't aware that was  part of the Buddhist teachings.  That trait or ability forms a central part of Fitzgerald's unfinished novel  "The Last Tycoon" and is one of the larger principles informing Picasso's later works.  

 

At somewhat of a loss to point at specific Spanish influenced recordings despite knowing of quite a few.  Looking for Turina recordings I came across his works paired with any number of other composer's on low production count and long OOP discs.  Wouldn't be surprised if you end up looking at Portugal, country and label, as well like I did.  Ultimately the search for jewel in the rough performances and little known composers lead me on a fruitless search through thrift stores and pawn shops.  

 

If the Living Stereo AP disc "Iberia" wasn't mentioned yet that would be an exciting trip through Spain.

 

  

[AnotherSpin]

No mind at all is the way to freedom. 

 

About Spanish flavors in music, does anyone mention Ravel's Bolero, Bizet's Carmen?

[sphinxsix]

10 hours ago, rando said:

I wasn't aware that was  part of the Buddhist teachings.

 

 

 

10 hours ago, AnotherSpin said:

No mind at all is the way to freedom. 

But you don't mean..? 

 

 

[AnotherSpin]

5 hours ago, sphinxsix said:

 

But you don't mean..? 

 

 

It may sound strange for convenient understanding, but all spiritual systems tell the same at the core. I could suggest you some reading on this, even though the truth is beyond written texts. Try Sri Ramana Maharshi's 'Who Am I'. It is very short and freely available online.

 

 

[christopher3393]

On 9/9/2017 at 9:35 AM, sphinxsix said:

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.

 

20th century Mexico: music of  Silvestre Revueltas :

 

Homenaje a Revueltas

Ebony Band

 

 

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=92345

[christopher3393]

Rite - Stravinsky: Le Sacre Du Printemps; Revueltas: La Noche De Los Mayas

Dudamel/ Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela 

 

 

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=481926

 

Fiesta

Gustavo Dudamel / Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela

 

 

 

http://www.allmusic.com/album/fiesta-mw0001404492

 

 

 

[christopher3393]

Heitor Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras Nos. 4, 5, 7, 9; Choros No. 10

Michael Tilson Thomas/ New World Symphony

 

 

...and if you like that sampling:

 

Villa-Lobos: Complete Choros & Bachianas Brasileiras

 John Neschling,  Roberto Minczuk /  Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra,  Sao Paulo State Symphony Orchestra Members,  Sao Paulo State Symphony Chorus,   ...  

 

 

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=225481

[sphinxsix]

12 hours ago, sphinxsix said:

But you don't mean..? 

..was a joke of course. I know a thing or two about Eastern philosophy and religion.

 

6 hours ago, AnotherSpin said:

Try Sri Ramana Maharshi's 'Who Am I'

Let me recommend the above mentioned Shunryu Suzuki's book then. I read it for the first time when I was 17 or 18. The language of this great man was so simple..

6 hours ago, AnotherSpin said:

the truth is beyond written texts.

That's the basic assumption of Zen Buddhism too.

 

[AnotherSpin]

39 minutes ago, sphinxsix said:

 

Let me recommend the above mentioned Shunryu Suzuki's book then. I read it for the first time when I was 17 or 18.

 

 

I have some familiarity with Suzuki texts. Thank you.

[highEnd]

On 9/9/2017 at 4:44 PM, sphinxsix said:

This is a lovely composition after all. I actually listened to my Perlman version yesterday. All I have to do to enjoy it (beside being in the mood for it of course) is to forget I've heard it a thousand times.

I think Zen Buddhists call it 'beginner's mind' - not always an easy thing to do

Sorry, I guess I missed your request for no Four Seasons- I was going to suggest a recording that I think you would enjoy. Did you know that the Four Seasons is only the first four concertos of a 12 concerto collection by Vivaldi? The collection is subtitled "The Conflict Between Harmony and Invention." All of the concertos are worth listening to, so if you weren't aware of the other eight, you have new music to discover, along with the warhorses. If you don't mind too much, I'd still like to suggest the complete Four Seasons: To see what you've been missing, sample Track 13. By the way, if you do purchase this recording, read the PDF booklet while you're listening to the Four Seasons concertos themselves. There is an excellent description of what Vivaldi was trying to convey, on pages 7 and 8, such as the drunken hiccups of harvesters enjoying the wine in Autumn, and people slipping and falling on the ice in Winter. I think it will shed a new light on those over-recorded concertos.

Vivaldi: Concerti Opus 8, nos. 1 - 12
The Avison Ensemble
Linn Records
http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-twelve-concertos.aspx

 

I have another Spanish-themed recommendation as well, an Everest from 1960 on 35mm film- another legendary recording.
De Falla: The Three Cornered Hat (Complete Ballet)
Enrique Jorda, London Symphony Orchestra
http://www.hdtracks.com/de-falla-the-three-cornered-hat-complete-ballet-150358

 

[sphinxsix]

Well.. I asked not to mention the 'obvious composition' (kind of 'don't think of a pink elephant' request I suppose) and I'm actually very glad so many of you guys didn't obey my suggestion!

I've just found and ordered second hand (quite cheap and cheap Telarc is a very good thing IMO) CD:

 

and reminded myself some other 'unclassical' or classical in a different form 'Stagioni' like:

 

 

Hence my question - do you have a favorite 'unorthodox' version of 'Four Seasons', guys?

 

[rando]

[Bob Stern]

"The 4 Seasonings" by PDQ Bach.

[christopher3393]

I kind of like the Max Richter. Also found this one interesting:

 

 

 

 

[rando]

Quote

Extremes - wind, snow, cold, rainfall, thaw and heat - are vividly experienced in Henning Kraggerud's interpretation of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Kraggerud manages to capture the climatic range experienced on top of the world in his music-making. And there's more - between each of the seasons.

Inspired by Kremer and Desyatnikov's combination of Vivaldi and Piazzolla, Kraggerud has included four of his own works in between the seasons. These compositions evoke different connotations and new angles through which we can experience the world's most popular classical work. Kraggerud's pieces both comment and contrast Vivaldi's moods - positioned as it were between the seasons, forming an eight-spoke wheel.

 

 

[astrotoy]

Alt versions of 4 Seasons:

This record is one of Harry Pearson's TAS Super Discs.  Don't know whether it is on anything but vinyl.

 

Larry

 

[AnotherSpin]

On 8/31/2017 at 9:30 PM, sphinxsix said:

What are your favorite Beethoven and Mahler symphonies recordings.?

 

Update on Beethoven. Try an album with 5th and 7th by Manfred Honeck/Pittsburgh. The performance is hands down outstanding and SQ is awesome. One of the best recorded versions of both symphonies ever. I may prefer 7th slightly over 5th. It was mentioned in other threads, I guess, but not here, if I am not mistaken.

[astrotoy]

Another Four Seasons is the one by Astor Piazzolla.  We have heard it in concert a couple of times, paired with the original one.  There are several recordings with the pairing.

 

Larry

[sphinxsix]

@rando @Bob Stern You are more spaced out than I thought, guys

 

6 hours ago, christopher3393 said:

I kind of like the Max Richter.

Me too.

6 hours ago, christopher3393 said:

Also found this one interesting:

 

This sounds like a fresh perspective.

 

5 hours ago, rando said:

 

The concept of this recording sounds very intriguing. Will definitely check it out.

 

50 minutes ago, astrotoy said:

'Koto Vivaldi' sounds intriguing too..

 

49 minutes ago, AnotherSpin said:

Update on Beethoven. Try an album with 5th and 7th by Manfred Honeck/Pittsburgh.

Thanks for this! I have to admit I'm not finished with Beethoven and Mahler yet. Will definitely check this one out too.

 

 

[sphinxsix]

I will have very little time in the next days possibly weeks - I'm moving to the Netherlands, Amsterdam area (which actually is my dream place Hope everything goes well). Unfortunately I will have to leave my main system for at least some weeks. Just my old Sony headphones and the desktop. Hope I will survive this situation somehow. Thanks once more to everybody for their contribution. I'm not finished with classical - quite the opposite. I promise