Classical suggestions

[James45]

I have a few classical and operatic cds but would like to develop on that. So far its mostly mozart (Cose fan Tuti and Puccini's Tosca are my favourites). Could you also mention specific releases and why you would recommend them (most important for the operatic stuff with different vocalists and the like)
One of the first one's I'd like is the Planet suite, can anyone suggest a release of this?

[wilber]

The Planets - I haven't come across a definitive version of this, I have a version on cassette conducted by Adrian Boult that was good - also has the Enigma Variations of the other side.

My current fave recent releases :

Mahler Symphony 5 - Simon Rattle & Arvo Part's Passio

Fave composer has to be Vaughn Williams (variations on a theme by Thomas Tallis is sublime), John Tavener is great (Byzantium is a good intro & is nice for the car), Philip Glass, anything by Mozart (Don Giovanni rocks), Verdi's Requiem.

Maxim Vengerov not Kennedy nor Mae (Bruch/Mendelson concertos are great)
Domingo not Watson

I could go on all day

[James45]

please do that's exactly the sort of thing I was after

[deckard]

James

I've got a DTS 5.1 CD release of The Planets at home - most entertaining, particularly with Mars!

Conducted by Andre Previn, I think it's the London Philharmonic. I've had it a long time now, think I got it from Vivante - the audiophile record suppliers.

[James45]

so is it DVD-A or SACD rather than CD?next player will cater for both so thanks for the suggestion

EDIT sorry I was being thick, I had not heard of DTS CD format before.

[Rambo John J]

Stravinsky's Rites of Spring and Firebird suites are particular favourites of mine. Simon Rattle did a decent version of Rites a while ago that I've seen knocking around for about £5 these days. Most releases package both suites together which is a bit of a bargain considering how ace they are.
Rites was revolutionary when it came out and marked a changeover point between the romantic movement and the modernists (if I remember my music history right), there were riots during its first public performance in Moscow (I think) aswell. Stravinsky wrote some powerful, dark, brooding music that seems to get better with age.

I've never seen Disney's Fantasia, but I've heard his music accompanies a dinosaur segment if that means anything to you.


I've still got a vinyl 10" of The Firebird Suite that I used to spin when I was DJing chillout rooms.

[Flimber]

You might find this thread of use.

Mike.

[dunkyboy]

The Karajan Gold edition of Holst's 'Planets' on DG is an excellent performance, though the recording is a bit controversial, I believe, as I'm told the instruments were recorded individually and mixed together (not separately, just miked up close rather than from a distance), so the ambience is nonexistant. It's very dynamic and detailed, though.

Possibly my favourite recording is Carlos Kleiber's recording of Beethoven's 5th with the BPO on DG in the late 60's I believe. Fantastic performance and brilliantly recorded.

Recently discovered the DG CD remaster of the 1979 recording of Rostropovich conducting the BPO of Tchaikovsky's Ballett Suiten (i.e. Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake & Nutcracker Suite), which is just brilliant - fantastic performance of exhilirating pieces, and possibly the best recording quality I've ever heard in classical (or anywhere??).

Cheers,

Dunc

P.S. - Also interested in further suggestions.

[Garrett]

Originally posted by wilber
The Planets - I haven't come across a definitive version of this, I have a version on cassette conducted by Adrian Boult that was good

I have a CD of that as well by Andre Previn but the best version of it I though was by Sir Malcolm Sergeant, I had it on a LP but one day whilst playing it on my fathers deck (one with an automatic arm) it decided to take a trip from the end of Mars to Jupiter via Venus and Mercury. This must be the biggest scratch on a record in the universe.

Other instantaneously likable classical works are:
Rodrigo’s Concerto De Aranjuez (Aliro Diaz on guitar.)
Vivaldi’s Fours Seasons.
Beethoven’s 6th (Pastoral)
Tchaikovsky’s 6th (Pathetique), Romeo and Juliet.
Dvorak: New World Symphony
Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade

Shorter works

Barber’s Adagio for String (vastly over used in films).
Albinoni: Adagio (Andre Previn conducting)
Faure: Pavane and Dolly op.56
Massenet: Thais/Meditation

Sorry James no particular recommendation on most of them

Can you help me James 45 or anyone what is the poignant piece called in Tosca the bit where the hero is in jail and he is going to be executed and he reflects he has never had as much reason to live.

[wilber]

Two best known Arias from Tosca are "E Lucevan Le Stelle" & "Recondita Armonia". I think it's the former that you're refering to (but I don't know Tosca - can't stand Puccini, i'm afraid)

may I make a suggestion early Apocalyptica stuff always appeals to clasical buffs:
Plays Metallica by four cellos and also The Inquizition Smyphany. btw I cant spell just look on amazon you'll find them

[Steve.EX]

Carmina Burana
(Robert shaw - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Choir) Telarc release.
2 Channel SACD - Very good/enjoyable indeed.


Steve.

[Garrett]

If you like the tunes used in Stranger in Paradise and And This Is My Beloved. Try Prince Igor by Borodin as it was heavily used for the musical Kismit. There are two versions on purely instrumental and one with a choral backing. I prefer the former.

[ditton15]

Try Bartok. You will be surprised at how interesting his muisc is. I've recently been re-listening to "Hungarian Skectches" (especially Bear Dance and Slightly Tipsy) byBartok, as conducted by Reiner and played by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

ditton

[wilber]

Just remembered a great fave of mine that i'm gonna dig out later - Jan Garbarek & The Hilliard Ensemble - Officium, IT IS AMAZING.



amazon page with sample bits