Classical Corner Classical Music Corner (thread #2)

The 2-CD set is relatively easy to find. It is now issued under the London label. The LP-set under the Argo label, which no longer exists, may require some weekend hunting trips to used record shops.

 

It was between this one, Szell's and HvK's. The Klemperer won out due to how"much" it had on it. The others did not seem to offer the variety that this set did.

 

I have most of the Wagner's operas by HvK, on both CD and LP. The Ring Cycle is on LP only.

 

For 11, may I recommend the Mravinsky recording on Praga. It's a bone chilling experience.

For 7 (and really any Shostakovich symphony), I love Rozhdestvensky on Melodiya (OOP unfortunately.) This conductor's DSCH is exciting and vital.

 

Your welcome. BTW, if it's a set you are after, look no further than this one:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2007/Feb07/Shostakovich_Kondrashin_MELCD1010165.htm

Intense, idiomatic performances.

 

That mean you got it already?

 

Now playing: Bach Sonatas
Viktoria Mullova, Ottavio Dantone

 

Just wonder how you guys are listening to your music right now while you make a periodic post. I am now playing the just arrived Bach Sonatas on my sound system in my computer room/study, not on my desktop. Desktop is still no match for my stereo system, no matter how good the sound card is.

 

I have a mismatched system in my computer room, as the speakers are clearly bookshelf while the amp is a Conrad Johnson, which is rated at 240 watts/ch. I hope at some point to move it to a larger room and replace it with a tube (or valve, as you guys in England prefer to call) amp. I do late night listening through one of my three headphones: AKG 701, Sennheiser HD600 or Beyerdynamic DT990. All European headsets since they sound better to my ears.

 

Always on my main (only) stereo system. It's in my profile. I have some so-so computer speakers, but I only use them to sample stuff.

 

The objective of this thread is about classical music and the sound system that plays the music should really be a secondary consideration. It is nonetheless interesting to touch on this subject briefly since great music can only sound good on decent sound system.

 

Simon (and others) I highly recommend this book as a guide to buying classical CDs. It has led me to literally hundreds of great recordings:



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Classical-M...6386/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1226799172&sr=8-1

 

Now playing: Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 in E major
Herbert von Karajan: Wiener Philharmoniker

 

The guide I posted above is actually a year or two older than that, but the recommendations are spot on. Penguin covers less ground and isn't as useful IMO.