Your Ultimate favorite

[The new erato]

An impossible question of course:

[jhar26]

Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro."

[hornteacher]

Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro."

Yep, that's my other choice.

[marvinbrown]

Come to think of it - why does Marvin refer to Brahms as his "unsung hero"? Seems to me Brahms is sung just about everywhere.

  Well Brahms has gone unnoticed in my collection, hence "unsung" for quite a few years and there are many Brahmsian compositions in my collection that still don't get enough well deserved listening time.  A few years ago I played all of Brahms chamber music over the course of many weeks (usually after I have overdosed on Wagner and Verdi operas  !!) and WOW what a revelation!!  The music on first listening  appeared "understated" for a lack of a better word- but it started to click and I felt that I was in the company of a long and trusted friend- hence Brahms has become officially my unsung hero- often ignored and yet so marvelous when I finally engage and listen to his composition-  HE TRULY IS MY UNSUNG HERO!!

  marvin   

[marvinbrown]

  I don't know why or how Tristan rose to such prominence in my collection.  Talk to your average Joe on the street and chances are that he has never heard of this work or even Wagner for that matter. The action is pretty nonexistent and yet the music is so seductively intense, hypontic...... ORGASMIC it is remarkably unique in that respect.  What does this say about me and my attraction to this work?........am I tormented?, am I an ultra Romantic and do not know it? I will say this Tristan draws on my "animalistic" instincts.......and there you have it.........my ultimate favorite!

I actually have that CD now, because you mentioned before that it was your favorite. Very good choice, btw- excellent recording for an excellent opera. 

  Indeed! Indeed!  0:)

Marvin, I could have bet my life on your pick...and I'd still be alive 

Sarge

  Glad to see you alive and well my friend! I am not so lucky,  you picked the Karajan Ring I was expecting you to post a Mahler Symphony Cycle (perhaps Bernsteins'??)

 
  marvin

[Sergeant Rock]

  Glad to see you alive and well my friend! I am not so lucky,  you picked the Karajan Ring I was expecting you to post a Mahler Symphony Cycle (perhaps Bernsteins'??)
  marvin

I was following the OP's instructions: one work (and I consider the Ring to be one complete work, in four parts). But, yeah, if we could choose one set of works, Mahler might be my choice: Lenny or Chailly or Sinopoli. I don't know which.

Sarge

[Bogey]

Op. 80, this recording.

[Holden]

I'll also go slightly into cheat mode with either this



or this



I know I could listen to Richter's WTC over and over again without any sense of ennui but then again, the variety that the complete LvB PS provides is also boredom defeating. While Fischer only has one or two of the sonatas that top my list of favourites, hers is the most consistent of the sets I've heard with absolutely no duds in the set.

So, I am undecided at this point in time.

[Saul]

I would have to say its a tie between Mendelssohn's Midsummer's Night Dream Overture and his Elijah.
The Overture because its an extraordinary poetic, magnificent, magical and enchanting work.
I have never came across a more perfect piece of music, charm, brilliance, and imagination, joyfulness and sheer originality.
It is very fantasy oriented, absolutely exuberant, dramatic and vivid.

On the other hand, the Elijah is a more serious work that deals with subjects of religion, humanity and the future. Masterfully written, with intense passion and drama, its a true Epic Masterpiece, that has within it much depth and meaning. The Midsummer Overture was from Mendelssohn early youthful days, while the Elijah is from his mature era.

They both exhibit , total and profound technical brilliance in composition of the highest order. And on top of that they exhibit, profound beauty, meaning and depth, and most importantly one of a kind, rare genius talent.

Cheers,

Saul