| Classical CDs Updated 10-02-08
There’s
a great wide world of classical music out there. Where do you start? We have many
customers who love music but want some help diving into the classics. We sell most of
these boxes in the
store. I’d buy
the Beethoven and Mozart below- everything else comes after! However, I find Schubert’s
piano music particularly engrossing and would put it just a slight notch below the mighty
LVB. Brahms, Chopin, Haydn & Liszt are in the running too. The following are my choices. Most of the following were chosen for a combination of great
performance and outstanding sound quality. There are some highly recommended older
recordings because they happen to sound pretty good even by today’s standards, and I
thought the performances were unsurpassed. I’m a
piano lover first and foremost. As a bad classical pianist myself, I appreciate the
nuances of the greats! My favorite pianist is Wilhelm Kempff. But Kempff didn’t
record in the digital era. Many of his benchmark recordings are even in mono. I didn’t
recommend any of the monos here. Kempff recorded most of his work with DG. DG has a unique
piano SOUND that I love. It is clear and light, instead of thicker and more muddled. When
you listen to a Steinway D (the concert grand nine footer) you notice the beautifully
clear singing tone of the instrument, not rumbling. The bass register is clean and taut,
not smeared. While you can hear some tape hiss (yup, they had a big old open reel deck
spinning away back then!) from the Kempff 60s/70s era, it’s no problem to these ears.
I find a charm to this era of recording that’s difficult (but not impossible) to
achieve today, even though today’s technology is superior. Having said that, Maurizio
Pollini & Krystian Zimerman record for DG today, and their albums are a delight. They’ve
maintained that DG sound without the hiss, and his playing is crisp and clear! Their
Chopin Ballades are as good as it gets! We’re
blessed to have Alfred Brendel, Richard Goode, Mitsuko Uchida, Emanuel Ax, Maurizio
Pollini, Krystian Zimerman, and Steven Kovacevich still performing and recording today!
Some came up with Rubinstein, Horowitz, Serkin, Gilels and company in their prime. The
influence is apparent. The quality
of most of today’s recordings is outstanding! Hence if you’re looking for a
particular work, like the Grieg piano concerto for example, you could select a classic 70s
performance by Kovacevich, or a new EMI by Andsnes. The Andsnes has much superior
fidelity. Both performances are first rate. Sorry to the opera fans- can’t help with
those. We’ll update this list from time to time. For you
vinyl lovers… we don’t stock vinyl. But I would refer you to my friends at
Watson’s in
Dave
Holmes Alkan
This is a great
find for us piano lovers! In late 2007 Grammophone raved it and was right on the money!
Charles-Valentin Alkan was a contemporary of Liszt. He was a pianist who didn’t play
much in public. But when he did, he was considered close to Liszt, the ultimate virtuoso.
This disc (Hyperion CDS67569) by Marc-Andre Hamelin features Alkan’s “Concerto
for Solo Piano.” At almost 50 minutes long, it’s a wonderfully engaging work! He
also has half a dozen shorter pieces by Alkan that might be considered encores. He died
when a bookcase fell on him at 75!
Symphonies
The Bach,
JS
Bach literally wrote the book on what a number of instruments could
do. He managed being creative AND getting it down on paper- which had to require
unbelievable discipline. While he accomplished more than any composer before him, Bach
still found time to marry twice, have 20 children and get hauled off to jail once for
disorderly conduct! Unaccompanied Violin Sonatas & Partitas
These are
marvelous, involving works showing the whole range of feeling of the violin. My favorite
version of this two CD box is by Milstein (DG 457 701) for about $24. Julia Fischer is
getting rave reviews for her new SACD offering on PentaTone (PTC 5186 072) for about $30. Unaccompanied Cello Suites
These are
done by all the cellists- Rostropovich and Ma are the big names. They’re wonderful. I
like the Gendron (Philips 442 293) box of two CDs for about $15. Another excellent deal is
probably the Schiff on EMI (5741792, 2 for $14), digitally mastered. Another great DDD
contender is the Tortelier set on EMI (562879-2). These are works you can have on while
you’re doing things around the house and you find yourself lured into them. If you’re
after the most soulful playing I’d recommend the 1961 version by Pierre Fournier (DG’s
Archiv 449 711 $18).
A fresh new DDD set by
Steven Isserlis (Hyperion CDA67541-2) is earning buzz as the best of ‘em all! Violin Concertos
Hahn/Kahane
combine on a new DG (DG B0000986) release of delightful concertos. Hilary Hahn is among
the finest violinists in the world- in her early 20s! 3 CDs on DG
463756 by Von K do it all! Piano Partitas
Andres Schiff
has a terrific double disc set covering this important turf. Decca Originals 475-8234-2.
Schiff recorded these DDD in the early 90s. Nice sound and Schiff was, and is, still in
his prime! He’s one of the few pianists who travels with his own piano to be sure he’s
at the top of his game! Organ Works
The unquestioned
master of organ literature is Bach. Peter Hurford and Bartok Miraculous Mandarin
Boulez has
a nice DDD recording of this impressive work! DG 447-747. Music For Strings,
Percussion & Celestia Coupled with
Concerto for Orchestra, this pairing is not as strident as Bartok usually sounds to me.
Von K and DG (463 640-2) make this sound less modern and grundgy than you often hear it. Bax Symphonies Vernon
Handley has a fresh new box of all seven symphonies with some other Bax goodies. Bax is a
very civilized English composer! (Chandos 10122) 5cds $55. Beethoven
My favorite
composer, LVB was a piece of work. By all accounts he was an irascible SOB. He grew up
with an alcoholic father who came home drunk and forced him to practice the piano at all
hours. Old dad wanted Ludwig to be another Mozart child prodigy, even fibbing about his
age as he showed him off. Though he was good, there was only one Mozart.
By his teenage
years LVB was taking care of his two younger brothers and got custody of them as dad was
pushed out of the picture. It’s a miracle LVB survived all this and became a
magnificent pianist- a fearsome competitor at the keyboard. There are stories of his
challenging and embarrassing other piano players in both public and private forums. He had
a disdain for royalty and boldly commented there were many princes, but only one
Beethoven!
LVB continued to
write prodigiously as he grew into deafness. He only slowed for a while when he became
obsessed in a court battle to gain custody of his brother’s son- from his widow! LVB
was mostly cantankerous and combative despite writing some of the most beautiful music the
world has heard! Why?
A big reason is…
we’ve learned when he died, a visitor cut some of his hair as a keepsake. He taped it
between pieces of glass for security. It traveled through many hands over the next 170
years. In about 2000 a forensic study was done on some of the strands and it was
determined he had enormous levels of lead poisoning. He was a chronic drinker of alcohol
from lead containers. As he drank he just got sicker and lived virtually his whole adult
life with indigestion. You’d be cranky too! He died at 57 shaking his fist at the
heavens from his death bed in a thunder storm. Piano Sonatas This is
solo piano music at its best! LVB wrote 32 sonatas. It’s the bible of classical piano
music. You have to have at least one box set of all 32. Life isn’t complete without
one! I own about ten and can make a good case for each. But, when you want the best sound and playing, several
come to mind. Richard Goode (Nonesuch 7559 79328, 10 CDs $90), Alfred Brendel (Philips
446909, 10 CDs $160), Steven Kovacevich (EMI 62700, 9 CDs $90) and Daniel Barenboim (DG
463-127, 9CDs, $65). You can’t lose with any of these! But the
more I listen to this grand music, the more I’m drawn to Wilhelm Kempff. His stereo
version (DG 429-306, $60 ish) in the early 60s has a delicate playing like no other. The
sound is uniquely Kempff. The same sound is heard on the Schubert box of sonatas mentioned
below. While some young turks pound the piano harder, musically & emotionally, I find
Kempff in a class above the rest! I’ve
read here or there that some folks prefer Kempff’s mono recordings of the 50s. I don’t.
While the playing is equally thoughtful, the sound is more “clangourous.” It
sounds fine on a Tivoli Model 2 system but through your nice hifi gear you’ll like
the sound of the stereo box quite a bit more. A CD that
is considered by many as THE finest single disc of LVB’s sonatas is a classic
Rubinstein, playing several of the finest (#8, $14, #23, #26) with electric results, RCA
09026 63056 $12. Rubinstein is often thought of as a Chopin specialist, but if you listen
to this disc you’ll know he can play everything well. While the
Rubinstein above is a bit more type A, there is an outstanding subset of Brendel’s
big 90s DDD box mentioned above. On the Decca Originals label you can get one CD with
sonatas, 8/14/23/26 (475-75559). The complete collector in me says buy the big box, but if
you want a single disc to cover the most ground with DDD sound and Brendel’s
scholarly approach, this is it! If you
want a greater taste of the “named” sonatas, Ashkenazy has a wonderful double
disc box on Another
box of impeccable playing is the Alfred Brendel Philips Duo (ADD, 438730) double set of
some of the most famous sonatas. Hence if you’re after the “hits” of the
sonatas- this is a good choice, especially because it includes #15 (Pastorale) and #17
(Tempest). Sometimes these aren’t included in the hits discs- and they’re two of
my favorites! For
bargain hunters I highly recommend the A recent
killer taste of Beethoven #18 & #7 is by Ingrid Fliter, VAIA 1250. Her playing is so
clean and clear that it’s striking. It is packaged with Chopin Waltzes. I can’t
wait to hear more of Ingrid! As far as
the sonatas go, they tend to fall in groups. The first batch of 1-7 are all very nice,
clean, clever and enjoyable. The first masterpiece is #8. the Pathetique. The next group
would be 9-13. Again, all are good and at 11,12 & 13, the genius is apparent. #14 is the
Moonlight- the most popular of any piano sonata ever written. #15 is the Pastorale, a
beautiful introspective work. Movement #2 of #15 is among my favorites of the piano
literature. #16 is crisp and clean, setting the stage for #17, The Tempest, a true
favorite. The lively, percussive action of the Tempest are great fun through your nice
hifi! Things are good through #20. But #21 is the Waldstein, another masterpiece by any
measure. William Backhaus blew the critics away with an accomplished performance of the
Waldstein at age 13! At #22 LVB took a bit of a rest, only to bring the house down with
#23, the Appassionata. Movement #3 of the Appassionata is often the measure of a pianist’s
athleticism! #24-28 are thicker and thoughtful. #29, the
Hammerklavier, is the grand daddy of them all. The first two movements I find very
accessible. After that he has more to say than I can absorb! The final three are unique
from all the earlier ones, #32’s second movement sounding like stride piano to come
100 years later! Also
sneaking into view is a forthcoming box by Paul Lewis. He has released about half of the
sonatas in groups already. The snooty English reviewers revere him with Kempff. When the
whole set is done, it may be the best of them all- state of the art fidelity with Kempff
like intelligence. Piano Concertos
These are my
favorite piano/orchestra discs on the planet. These works have been done by all the big
names over the years, but once again, you have to get a box containing all five concertos-
which boils down to three CDs. There are four premium choices: Zimerman/Bernstein
(DG 435-467 $50 phenomenal DG DDD clarity), Brendel-Rattle box (Philips 462-781, about
$50, rich and round sounding), Perahia/Haitink
box (Sony S3K 44575, about $35) sounds cleaner and leaner, Ashkenazy/Cleveland (
RCA has just
released a fantastic box under its Complete Collections series. You get Emmanuel Ax with
Previn & Mehta, playing all 5 concertos and the Choral Fantasy for a steal (RCA 55703,
3 CDs with a super 72p booklet for $17!). It was recorded digitally in the mid 80s and
sounds full and warm- a great DEAL!
DG has just
released a fantastic recording of Lang Lang playing concertos 1&4 with Chris
Eschenbach and the Orchestra of Paris. The recording is so immediate- so clear! Lang Lang
and the orchestra are outstanding. His articulation is outstanding. Just run Symphonies
Again, you
need the box of 5 CDs containing all 9 symphonies. My clear favorite is the Rattle set on
EMI, 557445 for about $50. As a bargain however, you simply can’t beat the new Naxos
White Box for $40 (
There’s a
new bargain version well worth buying! The Arte Nova label has some real gems at
affordable pricing. David Zinman with the Tonhalle Orch of
If you’re a
piano enthusiast as I am, you can even buy the mighty LVB transcribed by Liszt- played on
solo piano! I have a version by Cyprien Katsaris (Teldec 60865,4CDs $39). Also just out is
one by Scherbakov ( Cello Sonatas
LVB’s
cello sonatas feature cello and piano- a great duo! They’ve been played by everybody,
but the sound and performance combine make me recommend a new winner- Alfred Brendel and
son Adrian have just released the best version I’ve heard! It’s a double
Philips, 395802 for $35. The warmth and balance are simply the best I’ve heard! The
Harrell/Ashkenazy box (Double Decca 466 733) of two CDs for under $20 remains a very good
deal. A classic performance that doesn’t sound quite as good but has incredible life
is the Richter/Rostropovich pairing (Phil Duo 442565 $17). And for posterity’s sake
there is the husband wife team of Jacqueline du Pre and her husband Daniel Barenboim (EMI
73332m 2 CDs $15). This was recorded live in 1976. You hear some audience coughing and the
sound won’t compete with the top two above- but I enjoy playing this from time to
time because of WHO played it! Piano Trios This is a
beautiful combination of instruments written with beauty and passion. The Beaux Arts Trio
is my favorite group, Philips 468-411, 5CDs for $40. Violin Sonatas
There is a new
single disc offering LVB’s violin concerto AND the Kreutzer sonata. Isabelle Faust
plays violin with the Prague Phil on the concerto, and with Alexander Melnikov on piano in
the Kreutzer (Harmonia Mundi 901944). This
interplay of violin and piano are spritely and uplifting. These 10 sonatas are great works
and I recommend the Oistrakh/Oborin box (Philips 468-406) for 4 CDs for about $28 as a
budget choice. The upper crust, however, is the box by Pires/Dumay, DG 47495-2 (3 for
about $44). It’s a much more recent digital master with outstanding sound.
I’ll let
one 50s mono recommendation slip into the list! Wolfgang Schneiderhahn and Wilhelm Kempff
play my favorite interpretation of these works on DG. Play this one on your
My two favorite
works for violin & piano are Beethoven’s #5 “Spring” and #9 “Kreutzer.”
We have a monumental, classic recording by Wilhelm Kempff & Yehudi Menuhin (DG
Universal B0002921-02, $9). It was recorded in stereo in 1970 and has a wonderful warm
sound. String Quartets
Many folks
feel this is the most deeply felt music ever written. My favorite box is a DDD mid 90s set
by the Emerson Quartet (DG 447-075, 7 CDs, $115). A classic, less expensive version by the
Quartet Italiano (Philips 454 062), 10 CDs for about $70 is outstanding too. This is music
you should play when you’re in the mood to pay attention. You won’t do it
justice to just have it on while you’re cleaning the kitchen. Violin Concerto
LVB wrote
one violin concerto, no box this time! My favorite performance is by Schneiderhan (DG 477
403). It was done in 1960 or so and sounds good. A newer version by Hilary Hahn (Sony
SK60584) would be a great choice too. Brahms
Brahms started
his career as an incredibly talented pianist. Within his first five opus numbers are his
three piano sonatas- which are all magnificent! All that by age 20- stunningly remarkable!
His relationship with the Schumanns- you simply couldn’t make up. There are stories
of his acrobatic antics for the Schumann children bordering on circus level talent.
As he got older
he drank, quit practicing (leaving Clara Schumann despondent) and became a grouchy old
goat, once leaving a party saying, “If there is anyone here I haven’t insulted,
I apologize.” Solo Piano Works You can get
Brahms complete solo piano works by Katchen (
If you’re
not aware of Brahms solo piano music, it’s time to jump on board. This formidable
body of work reveals one treasure after another! Piano Sonatas
The more I listen to Brahms’
three piano sonatas, the more impressed I am by his precocity! The first two are his first
two published works, Opus 1 &2. Listen to #1 and realize that a 19 yr old kid wrote
it!
The story goes
that Brahms knocked on Robert Schumann’s (composer & critic) door. Schumann’s
8 year old daughter answered and let him right in. As she went to fetch her father Brahms
began to sweat bullets realizing he was actually about to meet the great composer.
Schumann politely greeted Brahms. Brahms asked if he could share his first work with
Schumann who agreed to hear it. After just twenty seconds at the piano Schumann went
running from the room without a word. Brahms stopped, scared spitless that the world’s
most influential critic had hated his start. Brahms got up and was about to walk out the
door but the daughter told him to wait. Brahms heard Schumann call to his concert pianist
wife Clara, “Clara, you must come here this genius at once!” The rest is quite a
story! But it all started here with opus 1.
Numbers 1 & 2 you
should buy by Idil Biret (
Number 3 is one
of my favorites by ANYBODY. It is a five movement work with some very thick chords but I
know you’ll love it! I find a lot of thick chord texture, by Rachmaninov among
others, just too much to interpret for my meager brain. But Brahms 3- about 35 minutes of
grand piano glory! Hungarian Rhapsodies This ethnic
piano music is very spritely! Biret’s Symphonies
I like the
Harnoncourt box of three CDs (Teldec 0630-13136) for about $40. It contains Brahms’
four wonderful symphonies and a few other goodies. There’s a terrific
repackage-reissue-remaster by Bernstein on DG (474930-2), a 5 pack for $35. DG is going
through the archives and creating boxes from individual performances, called the
Collectors Editions. There are number of terrific new ones- like this! Violin Concerto
It’s
tough to beat the classic Heifetz, paired with LVB’s, CSO & Reiner (RCA
09026-61742, $15). But Hilary Hahn’s relatively new Piano Concertos
One of the best
versions of these thickly textured concertos has just come out. Emanuel Ax plays #1 with James Levine and the CSO.
On the second disc he plays #2 with Barnard Haitink and the BSO. It’s a fairly price
double disc (Sony 03510) and my top choice now.
Brendel (Philips 446925, $15) and Abbado pair on
this CD with both piano concertos. It’s DDD so it has the sonic edge. Some folks
still like the old Gilels, (DG 447446 $12). The Gilels has that DG sound that is so
beautiful. Piano Ballades Michelangeli
plays them exquisitely on DG 457-762. Chamber Work Piano
Quartet #1- a new exciting recording with Argerich/Kremer/ Bahmet & Maisky. (DG 289
463 700, $15) is paired with the Schumann piano/violin/cello fantasy. Hungarian Rhapsodies Matthies
& Kohn share duties on a crisp clean recording of these fascinating works! ( Violin/Piano Sonatas Listen to
this fine double disc of Brahms’ complete writings for the duo by Bruch Violin Concertos &
Scottish Fantasy You can get
the 3 concertos and Scottish Fantasy on one terrific double CD. Philips Duo 462-167 with
Salvatore Accardo playing- wonderful value for about $16. Bruch complained that all anyone
wanted his permission to play was sonata #1. When you hear this set you’ll see his
point. They’re all first rate! Bruckner
Symphonies Bruckner is
an acquired taste. I suggest the Chabrier
Angela Hewitt
plays 18 solo piano pieces of this French composer who lived roughly in the same time frame as Tchaikovsky. Marvellously recorded on Hyperion, CDA67515. Copland Fanfare For The Common
Man This along
with Rodeo and other Copland treats is done by Dorati
(London/Decca 430705, single for about $11)- crisp and ambient concert hall
sound. Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel Violin Concerto
Samuel
Coleridge-Taylor lived from 1875-1912. There weren’t many black classical composers
in that day. He wrote a wonderful violin concerto that has a very romantic “American”
(despite being British) flavor. He sent the score to the Corigliano Violin Sonata &
Concerto
Joshua Bell (violin)
and Jeremy Denk (piano) are a true interacting team.
Here (Sony
88060) they play Corigliano’s sonata with delight. The disc also features a very new
violin concerto featured in the film “The Red Violin.”
Chopin
He left Piano Works A vast array
has been done on a thirteen CD box ( Piano Concertos
Many top
performers have recorded both of these concertos. I would choose the Zimerman/Ozawa DG
423571 because it comes with Totentanz- a remarkably forceful work that will let you hear
the lower register of the piano in all its splendor. Yundi Li (DG B0008236-02) has just
released the best sounding version of concerto #1 (along with Liszt’s #1) out there! Etudes
Fine piano
music by Perahia, (Sony SK61885) single CD that won Gramophone’s CD of the year 2003
in its category. Ballades & Scherzos
Rubinstein-
nobody does Chopin better! (RCA 9026 63045) It’s an older master so you’ll eat a
little hiss to appreciate the incredible Rubinstein.
There’s a
new remastered release by Emanuel Ax, a double including the Ballades (Sony 6981852, 2 for
$12)- not to miss! Ax has a patient temperament that befits the Ballades. Ah, to be a
virtuoso but not have to show it off all the time! Ax is always in command.
The
contemporary, absolute killer of these grand works is by Krystian Zimerman (DG 423-090).
The sound is DG all the way- crystal clear and Zimerman is a virtuoso of the highest order
that has a magical touch with these works! His version of the Fantasy is a marvelous 14
minute throw in!
An embarrassment
of riches continues with the great Pollini DG Recording (DG 289 459 683). The Pollini
recording is ten years newer than Zimerman’s. The sound is BIGGER, more like row A
than H. Cello & Piano
Who said Chopin
was only a piano man?! There are some gorgeous works for cello & piano on a new disc
from Truls Mork and Kathyryn Scott (Virgin 3 857842). Preludes
Idil Biret ( Sonatas Chopin’s
sonatas are often overlooked. It’s a shame. Sonata #2 is one of the most emotional
and probing works ever written for piano! It is also known as the Funeral March. Well, the
Funeral March is movement #3, about 9 minutes long. The sonata is a 4 movement work of
great feeling. If you’ve had someone you care about die recently, playing this sonata
is like rubbing the bruise. You’ll feel it, but you’ll be glad you did. This is
the kind of work you need to hear in solitude to appreciate its transporting nature. Wait
till you get your family out of the house, or at least out of the music room. Lock up 25
minutes for yourself. Turn off the phones, the TV, don’t pay any attention if the
house is burning down. This work demands 100% of your attention!
I would suggest
the 2005 recording by Nelson Freire (Decca B0004410-02, $16). The fidelity and playing are
excellent. This work is also in the Ashkenazy box listed above so you can get it within
that package as well.
Another good
version is within Andsnes’ set (Virgin 2x 5 61616-2 $15) which incorporates all three
of Chopin’s sonatas. Another new version I enjoy is by Helene Grimaud on (DG
B0004048-2) sounds very good and is paired with Rachmaninov’s sonata #2 and two
Chopin short works. This one is probably the most widely available. Pollini’s (DG
471-3572) is among the best single discs as well.
The best DEAL of
the bunch would be all three sonatas on one CD by Idil Biret ( Dvorak
Symphonies The best box
of all nine is by Kubelick (DG 463 158), six CDs for about $40. Another good deal is the
six CD box by Gunzenhauser (Nax 8506010) for about $30.
If you don’t
want the whole box try Sym 8&9 by Kubelick (DG447-412, $12). It sounds very nice on
the very well done and natural sounding “DG Originals” series. Elgar Cello Concerto Jacqueline
DuPre has one of the most famous recordings in all of classical music on her EMI 562886
release of 1965. DuPre’s teachers would tell her to quit moving so much, don’t
play so volcanically. Luckily, she didn’t listen! Violin Concerto Hilary Hahn
is marvelous in a current DG (B0003026 $16) recording. It also features Ralph Vaughn
Williams’ incredibly sensitive “The Lark Ascending.” Wonderful DG sound and
Hahn playing! Gershwin Piano Concerto
Gershwin wrote a
legit classical piano concerto! He debuted it himself in 1925. The version I recommend is
by Helene Grimaud on Erato 0630. Grimaud is a great technician and does Gershwin proud! Greenberg, Jay
Born in 1991, this young man is
compared with Mozart and Mendelssohn for “young genius” tag. His first recording
is of his Symphony #5. It’s good- quite enjoyable with something to say. I want to
encourage folks to support Greenberg and discover him early. With all the nonsense going
on it the world today it’s amazing to have a historical prodigy in our midst! Sony
81802. Grieg
Piano Concerto It’s
one of the best piano concertos ever written. I suggest the Andsnes/Jansons (EMI 7243
5575622) paired with the Schumann. Over the years I’ve heard many other versions. The
Kovacevich of the mid 60s is a classic. But given the superior clarity of the Andsnes, buy
it. Complete Solo Piano Works Grieg is
also adept at the shorter form of solo piano music and has some wonderful pieces in an RCA
reissued box. Played by Oppitz, these 7 CDs sell for about $40 (RCA 60391-2) and
incorporate the entire range of his solo works. Peer Gynt This
classically beautiful orchestral work is conducted by Karajan and paired with Sibelius’
Finlandia: DG 439-010. Haydn
Piano Sonatas Haydn
invented the sonata form. He was a prolific writer. He did it while managing orchestra
personnel, keeping track of instruments, teaching and being in a tumultuous marriage! Buy
the McCabe box (
If you don’t
want the big box above, there are a couple of strong recommendations for a taste of Haydn’s
sonatas. Emanuel Ax plays four of the best on Sony SK53635 for about $12. It’s a
sparklingly clean piano presentation of Haydn’s work played sensitively. There is a
fine double CD by Schiff (Teldec 17141 $28) playing 9 sonatas and a Fantasy. Schiff feels
these sonatas are unfairly ignored and believes they should be performed frequently. This
double disc is convincing! Complete Piano Trios The Beaux
Arts Trio is in fine form on this nine CD box (Philips 454098) for about $60. I’m a
fan of chamber music and the piano trio in particular. Haydn wrote extensively for the
combination, to our delight. When you consider he was in charge of the orchestra’s
instruments, personnel and giving private lessons, it’s staggering how much he was
able to write down! And we know a number of his compositions were lost in major fires. Violin Concertos/Cello Concertos
This double
CD package (Philips Duo 438797) for about $15 features Accardo and Walevska covering this
classic territory. Symphonies The London
Symphonies are often considered among Haydn’s finest. They’re all here by Jochum
on DG 474 364, 5CDs for about $38.
Haydn wrote 104
symphonies. I don’t think you need them all, but Henselt
A contemporary
of Chopin & Mendelssohn, Henselt’s piano concerto is a fun ride. Hamelin
(Hyperion CDA 66717) records this technically challenging piece. In his hands it doesn’t
sound challenging! Kinda like Schumann. Holst The Planets A classical
tour through the galaxy. Planets covers the whole range of dynamics! Dutoit conducts on
Decca 476-17242. Janacek Janacek’s
Sinfonietta is paired with a mean version of Holst’s Planets. Simon Rattle conducts a
fiery version of both works on EMI 7-64740. Korngold
Violin Concerto Shaham/Previn/LSO
(DG439 886) have a fine recording with the Barber. The Korngold isn’t generally
considered up there with Beethoven/Brahms/Tchaikovsky- but it’s well worth hearing. Liszt
Most
musicologists feel Liszt must have been the greatest pianist whoever lived. He practiced
up to 14 hours per day. His technique was ground breaking. Most of his own music was
written to display his immense talent. He literally created the recital- going on stage
with only a piano turned sideways to the audience. In fact, he had two pianos facing each
other on stage so each side of the audience could see his hands! He was the first “rock
star” riding to the concert in a carriage, squiring the ladies and handing white
gloves to an assistant before striding to the piano. He must have been as fine a showman
as he was a pianist!
There was more
to him than show, however. His ability not only to create music, but to rework other music
(like transcribing LVB’s 9 symphonies for piano, or orchestrating Schubert’s
Wanderer for orchestra) revealed a unique understanding for the process of writing music.
As he aged he became a generous supporter of younger talent.
He did, however,
have peculiar moments. He thought about entering the priesthood. He left Piano Works Liszt was
perhaps the best pianist who ever lived. His works are shown off beautifully by Bolet on a
nine CD box (Decca 467801) for about $60- a real bargain! The sound is top notch and
Bolet, a Cuban national, became a Liszt specialist. If you haven’t heard “Totentanz”
you should. This is lower register piano playing at its most prodigious! The 19 Hungarian
Rhapsodies
These
works are full of fun and showin’ off! Number two, among many, is a thrilling work to
hear performed. Roberto Szidon proves he’s up for the athletics and excitement. This
is a blast- a 2CD (DG 453 034) set for about $16. If you want the ultimate master of Liszt
fireworks, I would give the nod to Gyorgy Cziffra who has a mid 70s recording (EMI 67555,
$11) of the abridged HRs. Piano Sonata Liszt wrote
one of the biggest and toughest sonatas. Zimerman on DG 431780 is among the best. Brendel
on Decca Originals 475-8247-2 is a classic as well. Piano Concertos
Yundi Li has just
recorded a (DG B0008236-02) fantastic disc- featuring the first piano concertos of Liszt
& Chopin. As always the DG sound (with Andrew Davis and the Philadelphia Orch) is top
notch!
Zimmerman/Ozawa/BSO
(DG423571) combine for a classic account of these works, concertos 1&2! Mahler
Symphonies I’m a
little later to the Mahler party, but I view him as kinda/sorta like LVB. He has ten
symphonies. So many are so good that, again, you should buy the box of ten for about $70.
I like the Solti CSO box (
A great new set
by Chailly (Decca 475 6686 offers 12 CDs $90) and the whole cycle. It’s very clean
and beautifully done. For the DDD sound. Mendelssohn
Symphonies This
terrific six CD set ( Piano Concertos His two
piano concertos are finely done by Thibaudet and Blomstedt (Decca 289 468 600-2, $15). Thibaudet is an immensely
talented pianist who has been through Chamber Work A real
steal ($9) is the concerto for violin, piano and strings- on Mozart
Mozart was the
ultimate child prodigy. Virtually from the time he could walk he could play the piano and
violin. He and his several year older sister were dragged around Piano Sonatas Mozart wrote
18. You have to buy the whole box- you’ll be delighted with these clean works. Choice
one is the box of five by Uchida (Philips 468-356) for about $40. A less expensive
alternative is a great 70s set by Eschenbach (DG 463-137) for about $37. Piano Concertos
Mozart wrote
27. I have a new favorite box of these masterful works. Murray Perahia has a 12 CD box
(Sony 82876872302 for about $75). It has a little warmer, fuller sound than my former
benchmark, the Uchida/Tate (9 CDs, Philips 438-207 for about $110).
Another classic
box now packaged very affordably is the Ashkenazy (Decca 442 727, 10 CDs for about $50)
set. His playing is more powerful than the gentler Uchida readings above. Or, consider one
of a coupl great
single discs including just two concertos to get your appetite whetted! Pollini’s (DG
413-7932) #19 #23 are as good as it gets. A fun alternative is a classic by Mozart expert
Clara Haskill, #19 & 27, DG 449722. Violin Concertos All five are
done effortlessly by Perlman/Levine, DG 445 535 (2 pack, $20). A smoother alternative is
the Grumiaux (Philips Duo 438-323, 2 pack $15). Violin Sonatas
Mozart pairs
violin and piano as only LVB did. This box of four CDs (DG 463 749) by Perlman/Barenboim
is a gem at under $30. There is a new, premium issue by Mitsuko Uchida and Mark Steinberg
(Philips 4756200). It sets new standards for this work!
Also new is a
wonderful, sparklingly clear disc by Hilary Hahn and Natalie Zhu (DG 4771-02, $16). It has
incredibly clear DG sound and features four of the sonatas. If you want the sound of a
violinist and pianist IN your living room, here’s the CD to buy! Symphonies
Mozart is
known broadly for his symphonic beauty above all else. This Trevor Pinnock grand eleven CD
box (Archiv 471 666) for about $70 is a great bargain for these works.
Karl Bohm also
has an unabridged box (DG 453-231, 10CDs, $150) you will like! Harp Concerto DG 463648: A
harp concerto written by Mozart. Need I say more? Mussorgsky
Mussorgsky is my
favorite Russian composer next to Tchaikovsky. He was known to drink heavily and not be
devoted to the CRAFT of writing music. He turned out some amazing works for a slougher! Pictures: Symphonic: Kuchar ( Pictures for Piano: Kissin (RCA
09026-63884) with stunning fidelity and less rushed than usually heard. Pictures was
written for piano and I prefer it to the orchestrated version you typically hear on the
radio. Made from
playing on the Welte-Mignon piano recording system. These are great sounding CDs
featuring the best players of the early 1900s. For any classical piano lover, these are
musts! 8110677:
Vol 1, 1905-1927 8110678:
Vol 2, 1905-1915 8110679:
Vol 3, 1905-1926 Nielsen
Symphonies
Blomstedt
with the SF SO has a terrific 4-CD package (Decca 289 460 985 & 988) of these fine
symphonies. Orff Carmina Burana I’m not
a big choral fan but for this I can make an exception. Plasson on EMI 5 57197-2. Paganini
What Liszt was
to the piano, Paganini was to the violin. His fiery skills literally scared people into
thinking he was the devil before them. He was not only a virtuoso of the highest order on
violin, but a terrific composer for it as well! Violin Concertos/Caprices Accardo
recorded a beautiful six CD box for DG (463-754) for about $45. It’s a great value
and has a very warm sonic character!
Brand new on DG
is Hilary Hahn (477-6232) playing concerto #1 with Oue & the Swedish Radio SO. I saw
her do this in Violin Concerto #1
The new
Hilary Hahn( DG B0007188) is masterful! Not only is the Paganinin #1 a great concerto, she
plays Spohr’s (contemporary of Beethoven) #8 with convincing results! Prokofiev Symphony #1, The
Classical This is the
only “unmodern” Prokofiev symphony. I don’t care for the modern abrasive
style. I like #1 however and gladly recommend Von K’s (DG437-253) recording. It is
DDD and if you agree with my general musical taste, you’ll enjoy this! Piano Concerto #3
I’ve got
all five piano concertos in a nicely priced box by Ashkenazy (Double Decca 452-588). It’s
a good value but concerto #3 is the only one that whips me up. Ashekenazy is terrific so
you can’t lose with the Decca double. But if you just want #3 I suggest Argerich (DG
447-438). This one stands on its own! Rachmaninoff
At 6-6” in
1900 Rachmanioff was an enigmatic man. He was highly regarded as a pianist. Yet his early
orchestral works were not well received and he was full of self doubt. His confidence grew
as his music became more accepted. His reputation became equal composer-pianist throughout
his life. Piano Concertos 1&2
This new offering from Zimerman (DG 459-643, $15) is getting
raves! Just like the Liszt concertos, Zimerman is widely respected! Piano Concerto #2
Helene Grimaud
& Ashkenazy (Telded 857384376) make this among the few times I’m not begging you
to buy an entire box! Piano Concertos 1-4
Stephen Hough
and the Dallas SO have just produced an outstanding box of all four concertos- quite fresh
and ground breaking to have them all here with this level of playing and sound! The double
disc set runs about $38 (Hyperion 67501). As a complete survey, buy the Hough.
This $27, five
CD box is a steal of a deal. It includes all the Rach symphonies and piano concertos!
Pianist Glemser is outstanding. Orchestras from
This grand box ( Ravel Piano Concertos I recommend
the Argerich (DG447438) for your intro to these “winding” concertos. Solo Piano Works
A recent issue
on the Gemini (EMI discount 86061) label features Ravel’s complete solo works (2 CD
box, $12) by highly touted French pianist Jean Phillipe Collard at a cheap price! Rossini Overtures
I’m not an
opera fan, but I much enjoy these overtures. There is a very fine recording on DG (431
653) by Abbado and t he Chamber Orch of Europe. The sound is clear and immediate. The disc
features seven overtures- most you’ll recognize from commercials! It’s fun to
hear the great Billy Tell start like a violin sonata! Saint-Seans Piano Concertos
Saint-Seans
wrote five piano concertos. Number two is considered truly top shelf material. I think the
body stands tall as a group and encourage you to buy all five on a double CD (EMI 86245)
by Collard-Previn. It’s DDD and bargain priced. If you don’t know the
Saint-Seans piano concertos, you’ll really enjoy meeting them! Symphony #3 “Organ
Symphony”
This is a great
ride. It’s an impressive melding of organ and orchestra. The best ever? Probably! I
recommend Simon Preston & James Levine (DG419-617). The other work on this disc is
well worth owning too, Duka’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice- hardly a throw in! Violin Concertos- All Three
This was a great
find for me! St. Saens violin concerto #3 is highly regarded. It is so good that I thought
I’d track down the first two. I finally found them all on a CD by Hyperion (67074)
who consistently has great sound. I’m happy to encounter violinist Philippe Graffin
and the BBC Scottish SO. This is a very pleasant disc with typical, outstanding Hyperion
sound. Highly recommended. Schubert
Schubert was
among the most natural of composers. He wrote hundreds of songs. He wrote 9 symphonies. He
wrote hundreds of piano works. He died young at 29 of syphilis.
Schubert’s
works are routinely beautiful. They’re works you can love on first hearing. His adult
lifestyle was almost nomadic, living with this or that friend, often without even a piano
at his disposal. Where all this music came from, only heaven knows! He detested the show
off, pounding pianists of his day and took pride in his own beautiful touch on the piano.
He was one of LVB’s pall bearers and died just two years later himself. In one of
music’s most amazing facts, he wrote his last three piano sonatas, D958/959 &960
in his last year of life. His piano works were practically unpublished during his life.
The great pianist Artur Schnabel gets credit for “discovering” and playing them
to great public adoration in the early 1900s. Piano Sonatas
Thicker than
Mozart, competitive with the mighty LVB, Schubert’s sonatas are NOT to miss!
New to the
Schubert piano category is a marvelous box by Uchida (Phil 410402, 8CDs for about $60). It
has all the major sonatas, Moments Musicaux and impromptus. Called “Uchida Plays
Schubert,” it’s a grand addition to the classical piano catalog.
A classic box is
Wilhelm Kempff’s seven CD wonder (stereo, DG 463766). It’s a super buy for about
$45. Snare this to appreciate my buddy Kempff! A great contemporary version of Schubert’s
three most famous sonatas is available from Perahia on Sony 87706, two CDs for about $24.
The Perahia has better fidelity and masterful playing as well.
New to the
Schubert offerings are releases by perhaps the best pianist of them all today, Leif Ove
Andsnes. The D960 is the last of Schubert’s sonatas. Most people feel it’s his
best. There’s no need to debate it. But my favorite is D959. The second movement of
D959 is perhaps the most introspective, haunting classical piano music you’ll ever
encounter. If you have a heart, you owe it to yourself to hear Andsnes play it! (EMI
5572662 for about $16). While nobody outpoints Kempff, the limited fidelity of his 60s
recordings can stand between you and the piano. Pollini’s DDD D959 (DG 471-3562) is a
great single disc to consider too. Piano Impromptus
These are meaty
works, not trifles! I love ‘em! Most of the top pianists have done them, but I’ll
recommend the digital set by Brendel, Philips 422237 ($15). Piano Fantasy-The
Wanderer The Wanderer
is a about 25 min long and could be dubbed a sonata if you ask me- a grand piano work!
Perahia has a great version (Sony MK42124) for about $12 that includes the beautiful
Schumann Fantasy. Brendel is solid with sonata #21, D960, Philips 422062 for $15. Another
goodie is the Pollini (DG 447451). I like Lang Lang’s live at Carnegie (DG 474-820,
$20) two pack which includes this great work. But the snobby reviewers don’t. I think
they’re jealous he’s so darn good at such a young age. He’s a little heavy
on the Stevie Wonderisms when you see him, but he’s a dynamic player!
After a couple
of years of ordering from the web, I finally got Kempff’s version (DG 459-186). It’s
the most clever of the bunch. Kempff’s decisions and beauty put him in a league of
his own! Four Hand Piano
If you love
piano as I do, you’ll love it times two! There are two double packages worth buying
to cover the turf. Christoph Eschenback and Justus Frantz on EMI double forte (569770
& 569764) provide four CDs in the two sets, playing sensitive music, marches- the full
gamut of Schubert’s incomparable four hand compositions. Chamber
The Trout
Quintet and Death and the Maiden are two of the most loved chamber works by any composer.
Get them both on one DG 449746! Symphonies
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