excellent classical records ?

Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 1:28 pm

Hi All,
I wonder if you guys can name for me some recent excellent
classical records. What I mean is both great performance and recording. I'm looking mostly for "heavy" stuff: Rahmaninov,
Stravinsky, Beethoven, Brahms, and late Mozart too.
Appreciate it very much.

Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 4:09 pm

This is quite simply the best orchestral recording I have heard on CD.
http://www.referencerecordings.com/minnesota.asp#rr96

But this is also just mind blowing as well.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Verdi-Requiem-Giuseppe/dp/B00005MG6F

or the DVD is actually better, and the one to get.
http://www.amazon.com/Verdi-Gheorghiu-Barcellona-Konstantinov-Philharmonic/dp/B000066C6K

This recording of the Berlin Phil in full flight is quite astonishing and Gheorghiu is as close to perfect as you can imagine, a superlative musician and performer. In particular, the libera me (track 19) to the end is some of the most moving and powerful music rendered on disc. The shattering climax at the end, with the brass coming in and wrapping it up, makes you weep, its giving me goose bumps just typing about it. Smile

Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:01 pm

Bernie Grundman just put out a re-release of the Saint Saens Symphony No. 3 with Munch in front of Boston on 200G vinyl. It's phenomenal.

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/77253

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:12 am

Thanks a bunch. I'm definitely going to get some of those...

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:14 am

If you're cool with CD or SACD rather than vinyl...the SFSO release of Mahler 2 is one of the best and most dynamic recordings I've heard of it (and I own at least 10 - 8 CD/SACDs and 2 LPs including Bernstein/NYPhil and Walter/Columbia)

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