Embedded Files
Without music, life would be a mistake.
-- Nietzsche
"For many people, music is here to let them forget the daily chores of life. People have a difficult day at the office, they have a fight with their wife or their mistress, or both, they get bad news from their accountant. So they come home, exhausted, put their feet up, and put on their favourite Chopin Nocturne – preferably played by me – and within three minutes they have forgotten their troubles. But I maintain music is not here to make us forget about life. It's also here to teach us about life: the fact that everything starts and ends, the fact that every sound is in danger of disappearing, the fact that everything is connected".
-- Daniel Barenboim
Thanks to Flav and Tim for darned good music!
For individual composers, click these:
Beethoven Bruckner Mahler Mozart
Fav Orchestras:
Staatskapelle Dresden, Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orch, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Concerto Koln, Philharmonia Orch, London Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic.
My favorite orchestras:
Concertgebouw Amsterdam: Like a rich cabernet, with an overall tone that transports me to another period. I attended a concert at Carnegie Hall in 1996, with Riccardo Chailly leading them, playing Debussy, Ravel, and Stravinsky. Intoxicating. In May 2018, I attended a concert in the famous Concertgebouw Amsterdam, with Daniele Gatti conducting Mahler's #1. Sitting behind the orchestra was a fabulous experience. And the sound. Best I've ever heard. Gatti's conducting style is very much like Bernstein, very physical and animated. What a joy. Their Mahler symphonies are especially superb, since most were recorded in their Amsterdam home hall, with its sublime acoustics. Plus, they have a long Mahler tradition -- Mahler himself conducted the Concertgebouw. Can't ask for a finer pedigree!
Staatskapelle Dresden: Founded in 1548. The Dresdeners are like a smooth velvet glove, lush strings and warmth in the horns, dynamism in the brass. Centuries of experience here. I like them especially with Colin Davis and Herbert Blomstedt at the helm, playing Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. Also Eugen Jochum doing Bruckner.
Vienna Phil.: Golden honey. Their strings are tonally rich, lush, and embracing. I've attended 3 concerts of the VPO, at Carnegie Hall (Solti 1995, Ozawa 1996) and in St. Petersburg Russia (2010, Gergiev), repertoire from Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner, R. Strauss (programs listed below). This group plays Beethoven, Bruckner, Mahler, Mozart, and Strauss (among others!) in their sleep. They have the most illustrious roster of notable conductors in classical music -- Nicolai, Richter, Furtwangler, Krauss, R. Strauss, Mahler, Bohm, Karajan, Bernstein.
Berlin Phil.: In their heydays in the 1970s under Karajan, they were perhaps unmatched, perhaps even better than the Vienna. Power and finesse on demand, effortlessly. Karajan's Richard Strauss, Beethoven, Mahler's 9th, Bruckner 9th, and Sibelius. Vitality and musicality. With Karl Bohm, they played Mozart's symphonies with rhythmic panache and tenderness.
NY Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra: The NY Phil under Kurt Masur was captivating in the 1990s. Their concerts at Fisher Hall were electrifying and soothing, especially with soloists like Alfred Brendel and Anne-Sophie Mutter. The Chicago under Fritz Reiner - his RCA stereo recordings are still among the most sonically ravishing in the catalog. The Cleveland under George Szell - magisterial Beethoven and Mozart.
Program listings of Vienna Phil concerts I attended:
July 10, 2010, St Petersburg, Russia
The Vienna Philharmonic, Valery Gergiev, conductor
Ludwig van Beethoven. Piano concerto No. 5
Soloist: Rudolf Buchbinder (piano)
Otto Nicolai. Arias from the opera Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor
Soloist: Ildico Raimondi (soprano)
Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Serenade for string orchestra
Fav Conductors (alphabetical):
Claudio Abbado, John Barbirolli, Paavo Berglund, Leonard Bernstein, Gary Bertini, Herbert Blomstedt, Karl Bohm, Colin Davis, Adam Fischer, Ferenc Fricsay, Wilhelm Furtwangler, Carlo Giulini, Bernard Haitink, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Philippe Herreweghe, Jascha Horenstein, Mariss Jansons, Eugen Jochum, Herbert von Karajan, Carlos Kleiber, Otto Klemperer, Rafael Kubelik, James Levine, Lorin Maazel, Charles Mackerras, Karl Richter, George Szell, Gunter Wand.
Fav Conductors For: (no particular order)
Bach - K. Richter, Harnoncourt.
Beethoven - Karajan, Bernstein, Abbado, Wand, Furtwangler.
Brahms - Abbado, Kertesz, Haitink.
Bruckner - Karajan, Skrowaczewski, Wand, Haitink, Jochum.
Haydn - A. Fischer.
Mahler - Bernstein, Abbado, Boulez, Gatti.
Mozart - C. Davis, Bohm, Levine.
Schubert - Bohm, Wand, Blomstedt, Krips.
Sibelius - Paavo Berglund, Maazel, Neeme Jarvi, Okko Kamu.
R. Strauss - Karajan, Kempe.
Tchaikovsky - Gergiev, Mravinsky.
Karl Bohm: His Mozart and Schubert are hallmarks
Colin Davis: His Mozart symphonies are my favorites
Carlos Kleiber's Beethoven 5th -- still tops!
Gunter Wand: Beethoven & Bruckner!
Eugen Jochum: His Bruckner is classic
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Herbert von Karajan, Salzburg 1957
Pianists for: (no particular order)
JS Bach - Gould, Hewitt, Perahia, K. Richter.
Beethoven - Kempff, Pollini, Brendel, Arrau, Gilels, Richter
Mozart - Geza Anda (ctos), Uchida, Pires, Perahia (ctos)
Schubert - Brendel, Kempff, Pollini, Lupu
Chopin - Rubinstein, Perahia, Pires, Arrau, Argerich
Violinists:
Jascha Heifetz, David Oistrakh, Wolfgang Schneiderhan, Nathan Milstein, Arthur Grumiaux, Hilary Hahn, Anne-Sophie Mutter
Cellists:
Karl Richter: His Bach recordings are prized for his virtuosity
Favorite Symphonies:
Beethoven 2, 4-6, 7, 8.
Bruckner 2,3,7-9.
Dvorak 9th.
Haydn 6, 45, 48, 82, 92-104.
Mahler 1-5, 7.
Mendelssohn 2,4
Mozart 28, 34, 35, 38, 39, 41.
Nielsen 3,5,6.
Schubert 9th !
Schumann 1,3
Shostakovich 3,5,8,9,12,15
Sibelius 2,3.
Favorite Piano Concerti:
Beethoven 1, 4, 5 ("Emperor").
Mozart 9, 12-23, 25, K.365 (two pianos).
Favorite Violin Concerti:
Beethoven's. Mendelssohn's.
Mozart #3; K.315f for piano & violin; Sinfonia Concertante K.364.
Paganini #1 op.6
Brahms.
Favorite Piano Sonatas:
Beethoven's "Pathetique", Moonlight", "Les Adieux", "Apassionata".
Schubert D.960, D.664, 3 Klavierstucke D.946.
John Field's Nocturnes.
Favorite Choral Works:
Mozart's "Kronungsmesse". Beethoven's Missa Solemnis.
Faure's Requiem. Mozart's Requiem.
Lots of Haydn. Bach's Magnificat. Vivaldi's Gloria.
HvK and Anne-Sophie Mutter
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"Desert Island Recording" = One that I can listen to for a very long time.
If I could have only ONE composer, then that would be....Mozart. Beethoven too.
For individual composers, click these:
Klimt's "The Kiss". Beautiful cover!
"Such is the spell of your emotional world that it very nearly blinds us to the greatness of your craftsmanship" – Franz Liszt, on Franz Schubert
Schubert, Symphony #9 "The Great". Schubert is not known as a great symphonist, but his Ninth Symphony is perhaps the most sublime in the repertoire. Yes, even surpassing Beethoven! Its 4 movements all make me tap my feet. That's rare. Romanticism with unforgettable melodies. Energetic drive, building momentum without losing control. Here are my desert island recordings.
Josef Krips, London Symph (1958, Decca).
Leonard Bernstein, Concertgeb. Amsterdam (1987, DG).
Claudio Abbado, Chamber Orch of Europe.
Georg Solti, Vienna Philharmonic (1981, Decca).
Gunter Wand, Berlin Phil (1995 live, RCA).
Also very fine:
Herbert Blomstedt, Staatskapelle Dresden (1983, Berlin Classics).
Karl Bohm, Berlin Phil (1963, DG).
Charles Munch, Boston Symph (1958, RCA).
On Kempff and Schubert:
'When he is at his best he plays more beautifully than any of us,' Alfred Brendel told William Steinberg, and described Kempff as 'an Aeolian harp, ever ready to respond to whatever interesting wind blew his way'. Brendel chose Kempff's 1953 Decca recording of Schubert's A minor Sonata, D.845, for inclusion in Philips' monumental 'Great Pianists of the 20th Century' series. The B flat Sonata was recorded three years earlier and has never previously been published on CD. In contrast with today's bountiful D. 960 discography, Schubert's last sonata was a relative rarity on disc when this recording first appeared, and it met with critical enthusiasm. 'Out of many lovely things in (the) first movement,' wrote the late and long-time Gramophone critic Alec Robertson, 'I will single out Kempff's playing of the second tune (F sharp minor) in which he achieves a perfect balance between the tenor and treble registers, and his instinctive feeling for the magical music hovering between D minor and B flat major, which proceeds the recapitulation - one of the supreme things in the whole of piano literature.'
In the 1000th issue of Gramophone (December 2005) the magazine asked its panel of reviewers to choose a single artist they'd like to hear perform just for them. Ivan March chose Wilhelm Kempff, and in particular, this 1950 Decca recording of Schubert's B flat sonata: 'Long ago, in my teens, I discovered the inspirational playing of Wilhelm Kempff. It is he I would invite to my command performance and it is Schubert I would ask him to play - the last, wonderful Sonata in B flat, for me the peak of 19th-century piano music. I heard it first on a Decca mono LP, elysian in his hands. But that early pressing had an irritating background swish. I tried to replace it but it appeared that all copies carried the same fault; it was some time before I secured a perfect pressing. Many years later I had afternoon tea with the illustrious Alec Robertson, whose enthusiastic review in The Gramophone had drawn me to the record. I gently took him to task about not mentioning the swish in his review. His eyes twinkled. "Ivan," he said, "the playing was so beautiful that I didn't hear the swish".'
Schubert, Piano Sonatas. The late/middle sonatas are gems, with emotional and tonal complexities that challenge all pianists. D.960 is sublime (my obsession), and D.664 is a joy. My discs are listed here:
(links to many of these pianists also appear above)
Wilhelm Kempff nearly complete; DG 7CDs.
Martino Tirimo, complete.
Paul Badura-Skoda D.946,960
Alfred Brendel D.575,760,784,840,845,850,894,958-960
Rudolf Buchbinder D.899, 960
Shani Diluka D.960
Annie Fischer, D.935 (2,4),960
Emil Gilels D.850
Vladimir Horowitz D.960 (1986 rec)
Walter Klien D.157,279,459,537,557,568,625,664,784,850,959-60
Elisabeth Leonskaja D.568,664,760,850,894,899,935,958,959,960
Radu Lupu D.157,557,593,664,780,784,845,894,958-960
Murray Perahia D.958-960
Maria Joao Pires, D.845,960.
Maurizio Pollini D.760,845,915,946,958-960, Wanderer Fantasy.
Mitsuko Uchida D. 537,568,664,780,784,850,958-60
Sviatoslav Richter, D.958, 960.
Arthur Rubinstein D.760,899,960.
Andras Schiff D.960 (1990 rec)
Artur Schnabel D.959,960
Aki Takahashi D.664,960
Christian Zacharias D.537,568,575,664,784,845,850,894,958-60
My favorite Schubert sonatas:
D. 568, 664, 845 (3rd mvt), 850 (3rd, 4th mvt), 894, 958 (2nd, 4th mvt), 959, 960.
Impromptu D. 946 #2 (E-flat), D.760 Wanderer Fantasy
Moments Musicaux D. 780 #1, 2, 4, 6.
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Beethoven, Piano Sonatas. Wow. The Pinnacles of LvB's Art. The ones I have are --
Complete: Arrau; Brendel (1970s); A. Fischer; Kempff (1960s); Barenboim (1966-69)
Partial: Solomon, Pollini, Richter, Goode, Gilels, Gulda, Lupu, Nat.
Alfred Brendel:
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jan/29/alfred-brendel-impatience-was-not-a-vice
Guides to Beethoven's Symphonies:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2000/dec00/BeethovenAbbado.htm
Beethoven, Symphonies. Is there a "perfect" set of recordings for these war-horse pieces? Nope. No two sets are identical -- just look at the time registers for each track. Different. Here are my favorite box sets. Not the final words on Beethoven's symphonies. But what is?
No particular ordering here. Best pieces within each set are indicated.
Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic (DG). Recorded 1961-62. His second cycle (he did 4). This is a pioneering cycle, the bestselling classical recording of all time. Well balanced, except #6 -- too rushed. Clarity and dynamics are very good. A go-to for pure pleasure - #2-5,7,8. His #9 is better in the 1977 cycle. http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2014/Aug14/Beethoven_sys_4793442.htm
Georg Solti, Chicago Symph (Decca) Recorded 1972-74. Remastered 2007. 1975 Grammy Award winner, Classical Album of the Year. I'm not a big fan of Solti, but here's an exception. Superb recordings, no brightness whatsoever. The CSO is probably at its peak, with astounding strings. It destroys the thinned-out, wimpy Period Instrument Taliban. The 7th is probably on par with Kleiber's famous VPO account, with a touch less frenetic energy. #4 and 8 are pure fun. #5 is a bit less frantic in the 1st movement, but it has majesty. Brass is spectacular in #3, the best "Eroica". #2,3,4,5,7,8. http://www.allmusic.com/album/beethoven-the-symphonies-box-set-mw0001869444
Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig (Decca). Rec. 2007-09. A truly remarkable set, performed at Beethoven's metronome markings. This orch was the first to perform a complete cycle of Beethoven's symphonies, in 1825 and 1826 – when Beethoven was still alive. Instrumental passages are startling in some instances, such as in #5 and 6. Faster tempi, but very little rubato within a piece. These recordings are revelatory. Sound is astoundingly clear, with textured, glorious strings. Woodwinds and flutes are enthralling. #1-4, 7,8 are superb. A reference cycle. http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_cd_review.php?id=9773
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2014/Apr14/Beethoven_sys_4782721.htm
Herbert Blomstedt, Staatskapelle Dresden (Brilliant Classics). Rec. 1975-80. An excellent set, high on musicality, nicely paced without bombast. Sound is full, rich, and transparent. The Dresdeners play these to the manner born, as they are the top German orchestra extant, even better than the BPO. Rhythmic consistency, textural clarity, power, and delicacy in appropriate measures. No piece showcases the conductor; only the musical purpose shines through. This set is a gem. #2,3,5,6,7,8. http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2002/Aug02/beethovenbrill.htm
Daniel Barenboim, Staatskapelle Berlin (Warner). Rec. 1999. The first Beeth. symphony cycle for the 21st century. These symphonies received their local premieres in Berlin during Beethoven's lifetime, by the Royal Prussian Court Orchestra (aka. Staatskapelle Berlin). Sumptuous sonics. These performances have Beethovenian power and sweet melodic variety with auditory panache. Woodwinds are clear and present; soundstage is startlingly 3D. A must-have. #2, 4-5, 7, 8. 4th movement of #9 is superb for its climactic vocals. http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2005/Mar05/Beethoven_Barenboim_2564618902.htm
Leonard Bernstein, Vienna Philharmonic (DG). Rec. 1977-81. Stupendous #5. #7,8,9 are also gems. Nothing quite like hearing the VPO and Lenny play these live in Vienna. Warm, rich sound, with the VPO's lush strings ever-present. A somewhat romantic Beethoven in some of the movements, like the 3rd from #5. Not bad, though, despite Lenny's emotions coloring the interpretations. http://www.classical.net/~music/recs/reviews/d/dgg23481a.php
Other box sets that I strongly recommend (there can never be enough, right?):
Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic (DG). Recorded 1977. His 1962 cycle (see above) gets the raves, but this later one is marvelous. Sublime performances by a BPO that has firmly bonded, and matured, with its maestro. Full-blooded classical Beethoven. The sound has been honed to near perfection here. Don't miss this set. #2,4,6-9. http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2008/Dec08/Beethoven_syms.htm
Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Chamber Orchestra of Europe (Teldec). Rec. 1990-91. Performances with modern instruments and a slightly reduced orchestra, with leaner sound than Bernstein, Blomstedt, and Karajan. There are some instrumental passages that may not please listeners tuned to "traditional" Beethoven. But the novelty grips my attention. Broad, deep soundstage. Brass is stupendous in #5. Clarity and detailing are outstanding. A very satisfying set. Scholarly booklet. #2,3,5,7,8. http://www.classical.net/~music/recs/reviews/t/tld46452a.php
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/17/arts/recordings-view-harnoncourt-gives-beethoven-a-mild-jolt.html
Karl Bohm, Vienna Philharmonic (DG). Rec. 1971, these have rhythmic vitality and an undefinable "rightness" in some of the symphonies. #3-6 are gems, with 6th a reference. Bohm is disciplined as always. Sound is transparent, and a treble lift in the strings makes some movements sound a bit brighter. Set is showing its age, but it's still capable of standing alongside other sets. http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/d/dgg791949a.php
Claudio Abbado, Berlin Philharmonic (DG). Recorded 2001 in Rome (except for #9, in Berlin). #1-4, 7-8.This set contains "revised" performances, after Abbado had spent time considering Beethoven's tempi markings in J. Del Mar's editions of Beethoven's scores. Tempi are a bit brisker than the Berlin recordings issued in 2000. This 2001 set sounds fuller to my ears, without going overboard on detailing. See a review here: http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_cd_review.php?id=6259
George Szell, Cleveland Orchestra (Sony CD). Rec. 1955-64, this set has long been a benchmark. Musical, refined, a magisterial pleasure. Miking seems a bit distant and SQ shows its age in some pieces, like the 4th movement of #7. #2,5,7-9. http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/s/sny92480a.php http://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-10562/
My favorite individual symphonies:
BPO=Berlin Phil Orch; VPO=Vienna Phil Orch; NDR=North German Radio
#1, Chailly/Leipzig
#2, Wand/NDR; Blomstedt/Dresden; Karajan (BPO '62).
#3, Solti/Chicago; Karajan (BPO '62); Chailly/Leipzig.
#4, Barenboim/StaatBerlin.
#5, Kleiber, Furtwangler ('54)/VPO; Karajan (BPO '62).
#6, Walter/Columbia; Bohm/VPO.
#7, Kleiber/VPO; Karajan (BPO '77); Solti/Chicago
#8, Karajan (BPO '62); Wand/NDR.
#9, Karajan (BPO '77); Abbado (BPO Salzburg '96); Furtwangler/Philhar (Lucerne '54).
A List of Beethoven Cycles is here:
http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Cedes/TheCds_SymphoniesComplete.html
A List of Beethoven Cycles is here:
http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Cedes/TheCds_SymphoniesComplete.html
Beethoven, The Five Piano Concertos. These recordings are even more diverse than the symphonies. My most valued sets -
Claudio Arrau, Colin Davis, Staatskapelle Dresden.
Alfred Brendel, James Levine, Chicago Symphony ('83)
Evgeny Kissin, Colin Davis, London Symphony
Murray Perahia, Bernard Haitink, Concertgebouw ('86)
Maurizio Pollini, Karl Bohm/Eugen Jochum, Vienna Phil
Andras Schiff (all Beethoven's cadenzas), Haitink, Staat. Dresden.
My favorite individual concertos are:
#1: Argerich, Sinopoli/Phil.; Pollini, Jochum/VPO; Brendel, Levine/Chicago.
#2: Schiff, Haitink/Dresden.
#3: Arrau, Davis/Dresden; Perahia, Haitink/Concgbw.
#4: Gilels, Ludwig/Philharmonia; Arrau, Davis/Dres.; Schiff, Haitink/Dresden
#5: Serkin, Bernst./NYP; Pollini, Bohm/VPO; Brendel/Chicago; Grimaud/Dres.
Choral Fantasy, op.80: Serkin, Bernst/NYP
A Guide to the String Quartets: http://www.classicfm.com/composers/beethoven/guides/beethovens-music-string-quartets/#BeVPtrDQgWuyRi8I.97
Beethoven's String Quartets. Spoiled for choices here. His string quartets, like his piano sonatas, are magisterial pieces that superbly trace the evolution of Beethoven's creative powers. They also are windows that provide a glimpse into Beethoven's innermost psyche. The following are highly recommended.
Complete Quartets:
Quartetto Italiano (Decca).
Budapest Quartet (1951-52; United Archives)
Tokyo Quartet (1990s cycle, RCA Red Seal).
Berg Quartet (1978-83)
Prazak Quartet (Praga SACD)
Alexander Quartet (1996-97; Arte Nova)
Individual Quartets:
Alban Berg Quartet, Late Quartets op. 127,130-135 (1989 live, EMI)
Busch Quartet. op. 18(1), 59(1,3), 95, 127, 130-132, 135.
Cleveland Quartet, op. 18 4/5, op. 127, 131, 132, 135 (Telarc).
Gewandhaus Leipzig op 18(1-6), 59(1-2), 74, 130, 133
Lindsay Quartet, op. 127, 130-135 (ASV).
Tokyo Quartet (2007) op. 18(1-6), 59(1-3).
Vegh Quartet, op. 18(6), 59(1), 95, 131.
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violinist extraordinaire
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Like Mahler? Click here for separate page: Mahler
A Guide to Mahler's symphs:
There is a story about Leonard Bernstein's recording of Mahler's 9th with the Berlin Philharmonic (above image; his only appearance with Karajan's Berliners). In the 4th mvt of this live recording, the trombones are silent at the climax. Why? Apparently, a member of the audience right behind the brass players collapsed and died of a heart attack. The trombonists missed their cue.
On Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic (excerpted from an essay by Michael Cookson):
Bernstein's collaboration with the great Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra filled the majority of his Deutsche Grammophon years, yet it was a puzzling alliance on the face of it for observers. From now on the centre of focus for the ardent Zionist Bernstein moved increasingly from New York to Vienna, a city viewed by many as one of the most anti-Semitic in Europe. Furthermore, Bernstein's association with the VPO actively contributed to the profits of a record company that had been firmly rooted in the fortunes of the Third Reich. William Lincer, a principal violinist of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, summarized the apparent contradiction stating, "They gave flowers to Mr. Bernstein today. Twenty-five years ago, they probably killed fifty of his relatives". Bernstein's earlier experiences conducting in Vienna had been most dispiriting as the players were openly hostile, even disparaging his new Symphony No. 3 'Kaddish'. Quite possibly, as a matter of ego and possibly with an element of revenge, Bernstein could not resist the thought of molding this recalcitrant group around to his will. Perhaps it was inevitable that Bernstein's overwhelming love of music would eventually find its home with the superb VPO who were steeped in the Austro-Germanic symphonic performance tradition that he loved so much.
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Other recordings:
J.S. Bach, Partitas 2 and 4, Richard Goode.
J.S. Bach, Well-Tempered Clavier. Sviatoslav Richter/Angela Hewitt ('97).
J.S. Bach, Goldberg Variations. Glenn Gould ('81 - more contemplative than his '55 rec.).
Beethoven, String Trios op. 3,9. Leopold Trio.
Beethoven, The Violin Sonatas. Perlman, Ashkenazy ('73-75; Decca).
Beethoven, Missa Solemnis. Philippe Herreweghe, La Chapelle Royale ('95; Mundi).
Bizet, Carmen. Price, Freni. Karajan, Vienna Phil & State Opera ('64; RCA).
Brahms, The Symphonies. Abbado/BerlinPhil; Dohnanyi/Clev.; Chailly/Gewand.
Brahms, Piano Cto #2. Pollini/VPO Abbado; Gilels/Phil Ludwig.
Dvorak, Sy 9. Kubelik/BPO; Dohnanyi/Clev.
Fibich, Symphonic Poems, op. 37, 46, 49. Stilec/Czech Natl Sym. (Naxos)
Elina Garanca (mezzo-soprano), Meditation (DG).
Haydn, Nelson Mass. Marriner/Staatskapelle Dresden, Leipzig Rundfunkchor
Liszt, Faust Symphony. Bernstein/Boston.
Liszt, Piano Cto 1, 2. Alfred Brendel. Haitink, Lond Phil.
Mozart, The Violin Concertos, Arthur Grumiaux. Davis, London Symph.
Mozart, The Complete String Quartets. Amadeus Quartet (mid-'60s, DG).
Mozart, Early String Quartets. Talich Quartet (Calliope).
Mozart, Complete String Quintets. Grumiaux Trio
Mozart, The Complete Wind Concertos. Hager, Mozarteum Orch Salzburg.
Mozart, Piano Concertos #9, 17-26. Geza Anda, Cam. Acad. Salzburg ('60s).
Mozart, Piano Conc. K.365, for 2 pianos. Emil and Elena Gilels. Bohm, Vienna Phil
Mozart, Don Giovanni. Wachter/Sutherland/Schwarzkopf. Giulini, Philharmonia ('59).
Mozart, Die Zauberflote. Janowitz/Gedda/Popp. Klemperer, Philharmonia ('64).
Mozart, Cosi Fan Tutte. Janowitz, Fischer-Dieskau. Bohm, Vienna Phil. ('72).
Mozart, Piano Pieces. Anastasia Injushina (Ondine).
Paganini/Spohr, Violin Concertos. Hilary Hahn, Swedish Radio, Eiji Oue.
Arvo Part, Alina.
Pergolesi, Stabat Mater. Anna Netrebko & Marianna Pizzalato.
Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet. Lorin Maazel, The Cleveland Orch (Decca).
Rachmaninov, Symphonic Dances. Eiji Oue, Minnesota Sym (Reference Rec).
Rachmaninov, Sy 2. Previn/LondSy; Jansons/RoyConcertgebouw.
Schubert, Nachtgesang (Night Songs). Marcus Creed, RIAS Kammerchor.
Renee Fleming, The Schubert Album.
Saint-Saens, Symph #3 "Organ". Munch/Boston (RCA).
Schubert, The Piano Sonatas. Wilhelm Kempff (1960s; 7-CDs).
Schubert, Quartets D.810 ("Death and the Maiden"), D.887. Belcea Quartet.
Schubert, Complete String Quartets, Melos Quartet
Schubert, Last 4 Quartets. Quartetto Italiano
Schubert, "Trout" Quintet, Quartet "Death and the Maiden", Amadeus Quartet.
Schubert, Quintet D.956. Tokyo Quartet/Belcea Quartet.
Schubert, Piano Works 1822-28. Alfred Brendel 7-CDs
Schubert, Sy 8 "Unfinished". Bernstein/Conc'geb Amst ('87 DG).
Schubert, Sy 9. See above!
Schubert, The Symphonies (1-9). Blomstedt/Dresden; Bohm/BPO; Abbado/COE.
Shostakovich, The Symphonies. Rudolf Barshai/WDR Sym Orch Koln.
Sibelius, Sy 1-7. Maazel/VPO (Decca); Berglund/Bournemouth and Helsinki.
Sibelius, Sy 1, 4-6. Karajan/Berlin (1976-81, DG).
Sibelius, Sy 2. Jarvi/Gothenburg; Berglund/Bournemouth.
Strauss, Don Quixote. Fournier, Cappone. Karajan/Berlin.
Strauss, Ein Heldenleben. Karajan/Berlin (1959); Kempe/Dresden.
Strauss, Alpine Symphony. Kempe/Dresden; Karajan/Berlin.
Heinrich Schutz, Musikalische Exequien. P. Herreweghe, La Chapelle Royale.
The Radiant Voice of Barbara Bonney.
Roy Orbison, In Dreams, The Greatest Hits.
Roy Orbison, The Soul of Rock and Roll. 4-CD set. (Near-complete recordings).
Roy Orbison, The Last Concert (Roy's final concert, 2 days before his passing)
Melody Gardot, Live in Europe.
Diana Krall: Glad Rag Doll; Turn Up The Quiet.
Eva Cassidy, Live at Blues Alley.
Patricia Barber, Companion.
Patricia Barber, Modern Cool.
Patricia Barber, Nightclub.
Patricia Barber, Mythologies.
John Hammond, Wicked Grin.
Gladiator. Original Soundtrack.
Casualties of Cool, Devin Townsend, Che Aimee Dorval.
Holly Cole, Temptation.
Madeleine Peyroux, Standing on the Rooftop.
Peter Finger, Dream Dancer.
Bill Frisell, East-West.
Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company - Duets.
Louis Hardin, Moondog.
The Very Best of Queen.
Sneakin' Out, Train Wreck.
Yes, Fragile.
Yes, Close To The Edge.
Vangelis, Portraits.
Lizzie West, I Pledge Allegiance To Myself.
Bill Evans Trio, A Waltz for Debby.
Dusty Springfield, Dusty in Memphis.
Shelby Lynne, Just A Little Lovin'
Atrium Musicae Madrid, La Folia.
Elina Garanca, mezzo-soprano sine qua non.
Vinyl:
Diana Krall, Glad Rag Doll
Roy Orbison, All-Time Greatest Hits. Mobile Fidelity Original Master Recording
Roy Orbison & Friends, A Black and White Night (Live).
Bruce Springsteen, Born In The USA.
Rolling Stones, Hot Rocks, 1964-71.
Patricia Barber, Companion and Cafe Blue.
Glen Campbell, Live at Royal Festival Hall.
Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms.
The Band, The Last Waltz.
Pink Floyd, The Dark Side of the Moon.
Electric Light Orchestra, Out of the Blue.
The Living Marimbas, Georgy Girl and Other Music To Watch Girls By
Mary Hopkin, Post Card (Apple Records)
Styx, The Grand Illusion.
Meat Loaf, Bat Out Of Hell.
Fleetwood Mac, Rumours.
Star Wars, Original Soundtrack. John Williams and the London Symph.
Schubert, Symphony #9. George Szell, Cleveland Orchestra.
Bach, Violin Concerti BWV 1041-1043, A.-Sophie Mutter & S. Accardo.
Bach, The 6 Brandenburg Concertos. Karl Richter, Munchener Bach Orch.
Beethoven, Piano Concerto #5 "Emperor". Rudolf Serkin, Bernstein, NY Phil.
Beethoven, The 9 Symphonies, George Szell, Cleveland Orch.
Beethoven, The Five Piano Concerti. Alfred Brendel. Chicago Sym., Levine.
Beethoven, Violin Concerto, N. Milstein. Leinsdorf, Philharmonia.
Beethoven, Violin Concerto, Y. Menuhin. Klemperer, New Philharmonia.
Beethoven, Violin Concerto, J. Heifetz. Munch, Boston Symph.
Beethoven, Symphony #5, C. Kleiber, Vienna Philharmonic.
Beethoven, Symphony #6, Karl Bohm, Vienna Philharmonic.
Mahler, Symphony No. 1, Titan. Bruno Walter, Columbia Symph.
Mozart, Requiem, H. Von Karajan, Vienna Philharmonic/State Opera Chorus.
Mozart, The Piano Concertos. Geza Anda, Camerata Acad. Salzburg.
Mozart, Violin Concerto #3, A.-Sophie Mutter, Berlin Phil (H. von Karajan).
Glenn Gould, Bach: Goldberg Variations (1955; Gould's premiere).
Bizet, Carmen. Teresa Berganza, Placido Domingo. London Sym, Abbado.
Luciano Pavarotti, The World's Favorite Tenor Arias (Decca Records).
The Doors, Live at the Bowl '68.
The Doors, The Doors.
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