Hello!

[North Star]

Wonderful! On your recommendation I've been listening to Immerseel's Beethoven on Spotify. It's exceptionally impressive. I've heard orchestral sounds I'd never realized were ever there, listening mostly to Karajan's Cycle. I love Karajan's interpretation, but in being so gargantuan a few details do get blotted out. Being 16 my funds are very, hmm, limited, so I normally don't buy CD's unless I really love the music. I listen online the rest of the time. When I get the funds I'll move investing in Immerseel's set to the top of my list, which is saying a lot for me. I'll have to look into those Sonatas, too. I've lately been enjoying chamber music more and more. I love the paired down textures and sounds, and the enjoyment, and wittiness, and emotion, that a small tightly knit ensemble can bring to a piece. So, thank you very much for your suggestions, they've helped me a lot.

Excellent! Do remember to check the string quartets and piano sonatas, too - they're easily the most important Beethoven, along with the symphonies (and Missa Solemnis)

And here's some Bach - Bernard Foccroulle's Passacaglia & Fuga for organ, and Viktoria Mullova's Ciaconna from Partita no. 2 for solo violin
http://www.youtube.com/v/8YFEMW-3RHAhttp://www.youtube.com/v/BCIH53oxXYohttp://www.youtube.com/v/uB14amsM3jo