GMG Classical Music Forum

Hello GMG :-)

I would like to ask for some recommendations on a couple of classical albums, I find it very hard to pick out the good ones from the ones with 1 symphony.

A couple of composers I like:

Liszt
Rachmaninov
Chopin
Beethoven
Bach
Brahms
Vivaldi
Schubert
Schumann
Verdi
Gardel

Not a big fan of operas!
EDIT: Would love some piano/cello/violin concerto. (An oboe is fine too!)

Thanks in advance,
Moe :-)

Quote from: Moe on March 23, 2013, 08:50:01 AM
Hello GMG :-)

I would like to ask for some recommendations on a couple of classical albums, I find it very hard to pick out the good ones from the ones with 1 symphony.

A couple of composers I like:

Liszt
Rachmaninov
Beethoven
Bach
Vivaldi
Schubert
Schumann
Verdi
Gardel

Not a big fan of operas!
EDIT: Would love some piano/cello/violin concerto. (An oboe is fine too!)

Thanks in advance,
Moe :-)

Hey, Moe.

If you're not opposed to MP3s, Amazon.com has collections of most if not all of these composers for cheap prices. Some as low as $0.99 to $4.99 for up to 99 tracks...

For example...

Liszt (http://www.amazon.com/The-Most-Essential-Liszt-Masterpieces/dp/B004F7YHD0/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1364058741&sr=1-1&keywords=liszt)
Bach (http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Supreme-Classical-Masterpieces-Masters/dp/B005WW94ZS/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364058864&sr=301-1)
Vivaldi (http://www.amazon.com/Big-Vivaldi-Box/dp/B00BPEWWFG/ref=sr_shvl_album_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1364058907&sr=301-2)

I realize you may not find any of these listed as definitive or as highly-recommended, but it's a great, and inexpensive, way to explore more of a composer's output.

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on March 23, 2013, 09:17:24 AM
If you're not opposed to MP3

It's not that I'm opposed to them, but I like having the physical record so I can play it in my car or on my stereo without having to connect a computer or burn them myself :-)

Thanks a lot of the swift answer though!

Moe.

Quote from: James on March 23, 2013, 09:45:04 AM


Hi Moe .. welcome. Off the top of my head just a few recs ..

BACH .. Brandenburg Concertos, Keyboard Concertos ..

[asin]B0000057D8[/asin]
[asin]B0085MK2A8[/asin]
BARTOK .. Piano Concertos

[asin]B000001GPW[/asin]
STRAVINSKY .. Rite of Spring, Petrouchka ..

[asin]B000002A2M[/asin]
WAGNER .. Overtures & Preludes ..

[asin]B000001GLB[/asin]
STOCKHAUSEN .. Oktophonie ..

(http://home.swipnet.se/sonoloco13/stockhausen/41aOp.jpg)

http://www.stockhausencds.com/Stockhausen_Edition_CD41.htm

Woah, thanks a lot :-)

Added the one with Glenn Gould to my basket.
Also checking out the Bartok CD!

I don't like Wagner and Stockhausen so much, but I like Stravinsky a bit, but not enough to want a physical CD of him yet :-)

Keep 'em coming!

Moe.

Quote from: James on March 23, 2013, 10:02:37 AM
Be sure to check out the samples .. you never know, some stuff we like right off, other stuff grows slowly and we grow with it as a result .. and as everyone is at different stages,  personal tastes will vary but it's all exceptional stuff created by the best.

Already checked a bunch, wasn't too familiar with Stockhausen before, but he doesn't really fall into my category of taste, unfortunately.
Wagner is just a bit too dark, if you know what I mean. I find most of his works a bit too heavy for my taste.

Quote from: James on March 23, 2013, 10:24:30 AM
Stockhausen challenges and pushes open doors (as did Wagner) .. his output is wildly diverse, maybe one day you'll open up more to his galaxy with time .. as you (hopefully) continue to broaden & engage your ears & mind as far as perception, creativity and listening is concerned. All the best!

Too challenging, eh? That perhaps might be it :-)


Still looking for more albums if people have any to recommend!

Moe.

Quote from: James on March 23, 2013, 11:15:14 AM
In your case, it could fall outside of what you are normally accustomed to ..

A few more recommendations for you ..

GUBAIDULINA .. Offertorium ..

[asin]B000066I9E[/asin]
BOULEZ ..explosante-fixe..

[asin]B0007404HI[/asin]
DEBUSSY .. La mer, etc.

[asin]B00006I4AW[/asin]
RAVEL, RACH .. Piano Concertos

[asin]B00003ZKRJ[/asin]
BIRTWISTLE .. Secret Theatre ..

[asin]B001HADETG[/asin]

LIGETI .. Melodien, etc.

[asin]B000059QW8[/asin]

That's a lot of stuff I don't really know about :-)
Not to be rude, and I'm more than open to expanding my limits, but for the moment I'm really only looking to get a couple of albums with the ones I already recognize and can 'humm' along on while for example in my car ;-)

Quote from: Moe on March 23, 2013, 01:54:01 PMI'm really only looking to get a couple of albums with the ones I already recognize and can 'humm' along on while for example in my car ;-)

Well, you may consider Steve Reich's Humming!

Aaaaanyway, on a more serious note, this

[asin]B006J4AHM2[/asin]
should do nicely and

[asin]B00006GOCJ[/asin]
is almost mandatory. There'll be two of you humming along!

Quote from: Moe on March 23, 2013, 08:50:01 AM
Hello GMG :-)

I would like to ask for some recommendations on a couple of classical albums, I find it very hard to pick out the good ones from the ones with 1 symphony.

A couple of composers I like:

Verdi
Not a big fan of operas!
EDIT: Would love some piano/cello/violin concerto. (An oboe is fine too!)

Thanks in advance,
Moe :-)

Hi, Moe!

For baroque concertos, can't go wrong with Naïve label's recordings. Loads of concertos there, and other stuff.

[asin]B004NWHVD0[/asin]
[asin]B00006HM8V[/asin]
[asin]B001716ISY[/asin]
[asin]B000XTLUV6[/asin]
[asin]B000001GXB[/asin]
[asin]B000T2OMX0[/asin]
[asin]B004V4GXT8[/asin]
[asin]B00000419B[/asin]

Quote from: Rinaldo on March 23, 2013, 02:27:59 PM
Well, you may consider Steve Reich's Humming!

Aaaaanyway, on a more serious note, this

[asin]B006J4AHM2[/asin]
should do nicely and

[asin]B00006GOCJ[/asin]
is almost mandatory. There'll be two of you humming along!

Four Seasons are truly magnificent, in my opinion; Vivaldi's greatest work :-)

Will take a listen to the other CD as well :-)

Quote from: James on March 23, 2013, 02:45:28 PM
No offence taken but maybe you're on the wrong forum if that's what you're basically looking for and not much more? .. if you're looking for background music while you're doing something else that you can easily digest and hum along with than perhaps you should stick to pop music or film soundtracks.

My recommendations aren't driven on expanding limits, it's just good, engaging music created at a very high level. Being that it's of the classical tradition of written composing .. of course it's going to be so much more layered & thoughtful than just 'tunes' or 'background' stuff.

It is not simply 'background' music :-)
I also listen to like to just lean back and listen to it, and since I don't enjoy most pop music I don't think that's what I'm looking for!

I just don't really have the time at the moment to expand my horizon music-wise, for me it takes a lot of time to thoroughly listen to a piece and judge if it's something for me or not, we are all luckily different that way ;-)

Even though you say the music you recommend it 'just good, engaging music created at a very high level' doesn't necessarily mean that I have to like it, as I also mentioned in this post: I don't really like pop music - And if even it's made at a high level and is to some good.

Thanks for all the recommendations though, but right now I just want some music I am somewhat familiar with, but I'm not too good into which artists/orchestras are good.
(By being able to 'humm' I just meant music I knew and was familiar with)

EDIT: 'not much more' is very strong! Since this is a forum there is always the possibility that I'll be back and expand my horizon and musical knowledge later (actually there is no doubt that I actually will).

Quote from: North Star on March 23, 2013, 02:46:44 PM
Hi, Moe!

For baroque concertos, can't go wrong with Naïve label's recordings. Loads of concertos there, and other stuff.

[asin]B004NWHVD0[/asin]
[asin]B00006HM8V[/asin]
[asin]B001716ISY[/asin]
[asin]B000XTLUV6[/asin]
[asin]B000001GXB[/asin]
[asin]B000T2OMX0[/asin]
[asin]B004V4GXT8[/asin]
[asin]B00000419B[/asin]

Magnificent! :-)

I will look through these and I'm pretty sure I'll order a few of them.

Thanks a bunch, I really love how friendly this forum is, even to 'newbies' like me ;-)

Cheers!

Quote from: James on March 23, 2013, 03:14:21 PM
Not a problem at all. You will find the need to grow at some point though.  :)

I sincerely hope I will :-)
There is, without a doubt, still much to listen to.

Quote from: Moe on March 23, 2013, 08:50:01 AM
Hello GMG :-)

I would like to ask for some recommendations on a couple of classical albums, I find it very hard to pick out the good ones from the ones with 1 symphony.

A couple of composers I like:

Liszt
Rachmaninov
Chopin
Beethoven
Bach
Brahms
Vivaldi
Schubert
Schumann
Verdi
Gardel

Not a big fan of operas!
EDIT: Would love some piano/cello/violin concerto. (An oboe is fine too!)

Thanks in advance,
Moe :-)

Dear Moe, I don't even think I should try to formulate an answer to that request. :)

I mean, throwing in a list of ten or so major Classical composers is like firing a shotgun into the dark... Feel free to follow up on any rec. so far, but beware that they are bound to be of a personal and arbitrary nature! :o

Best recommendation I can make is look for essential works by the composers you mention (try HERE (http://www.classical.net/music/rep/)) and browse relevant threads around here for suggestions of interesting recordings of a particular work.

Other that, your own guess on would you might like is as good as anyone's... 8)

Good luck! :)

Q

Quote from: Que on March 23, 2013, 03:33:41 PM
Other that, your own guess on would you might like is as good as anyone's... 8)

Thanks for the reply, but my problem is that I know next to nothing about the different orchestras and artists which perform the various works :-)

Moe.

Quote from: Moe on March 23, 2013, 03:39:22 PM
Thanks for the reply, but my problem is that I know next to nothing about the different orchestras and artists which perform the various works :-)

Moe.

Then best way to go about it then, is IMO to look for rec. on recordings of a specific work at a time on a relevant thread. :)

You can PM me if you want some help picking out the right threads - other than that, there is already plenty to read up on.

A lot of work, I know, but no way around that - it just takes a lot of research: compiling a list of suggested recordings, comparing them and finding the right one.

Q

Quote from: Moe on March 23, 2013, 08:50:01 AM
Hello GMG :-)

I would like to ask for some recommendations on a couple of classical albums, I find it very hard to pick out the good ones from the ones with 1 symphony.

A couple of composers I like:

Liszt
Rachmaninov
Chopin
Beethoven
Bach
Brahms
Vivaldi
Schubert
Schumann
Verdi
Gardel

Not a big fan of operas!
EDIT: Would love some piano/cello/violin concerto. (An oboe is fine too!)

Thanks in advance,
Moe :-)

While I agreee with Que, I do understand the difficulty it can be to find a good version of something when there are so many choices and little is known about performers. We also don't know your preferences, which adds another layer of complexity. That said, I think you are just looking for a place to start. SO keeping in mind that there are many good versions of a given work, I will pass along a few that are often considered top performances for some of the composers you are considering.

Of those recommended so far (and those I know), the Beethoven Pollini Sonatas and the Bach cello Suites Queyras discs are ones that are widely recommended and I would not hesitate to recommend myself. It doesn't mean the others are bad, it just means I don't know them.

I would add:
[asin]B0000041MS[/asin]
These Impromptus are classic performances and have been popular since release. They are wonderful performances.

[asin]B00005YUBL[/asin]
THese are also classic performances and did very well in our Blind Listening we did for Symphony 4. It's not my personal favorite, but they are well performed. You may hear many other good recommendations for these symphonies, but this set is often considered the standard agaisnt which others are compared.

[asin]B0013D8K1E[/asin]
This is a wonderful pianist (Argerich) and the Schmann Kinderszenen she performs here is perhaps my favorite piano piece ever. These sets are very well done and would allow you to explore a bit (at a very high level of performance). Any of the sets from this series (and there are many) are great ways to explore (but no guarantee you will like everything).

(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/65/22/d4e9024128a0cb3d0f17d010.L._SY300_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Mozart-Violin-Concertos-Schneiderhan/dp/B000001GQ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1364082980&sr=1-1&keywords=beethoven+violin+concerto+schneiderhan (http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Mozart-Violin-Concertos-Schneiderhan/dp/B000001GQ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1364082980&sr=1-1&keywords=beethoven+violin+concerto+schneiderhan)
Another classic. It may sound a little older, but the playing is phenomenal (and sound is still stereo).

[asin]B001F4YGU0[/asin]
You may be hesistant to get so much so early (the set is 12 discs of various chamber pieces by Brahms), but this is a quality release from top to bottom. These are top performances in every single piece. If you want to start smaller, I'd recommend the Piano Trios: http://www.amazon.com/Brahms-Complete-Piano-Trios-Johannes/dp/B0000063BW/ref=sr_1_6?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1364083236&sr=1-6&keywords=brahms+piano+trios (http://www.amazon.com/Brahms-Complete-Piano-Trios-Johannes/dp/B0000063BW/ref=sr_1_6?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1364083236&sr=1-6&keywords=brahms+piano+trios)

Other Brahms I love include:
[asin]B0000013KA[/asin]
Phenomenal! I love these Dances!
[asin]B000006NXP[/asin]
A classic and often considered the benchmark. Kleiber's Beethoven Symphony 5/7 is often referred to as the benchmark for those pieces as well.

[asin]B0000042HY[/asin]
I may feel that other versions are better for each piece, but this is a great set overall and great value (and well played to boot!). The Isle of the Dead is among my favorites too.

Vivaldi can be a tough one (as there are just so many versions), but here are two good ones in the violin concertos:
[asin]B00005NF01[/asin]
[asin]B000FVRAAM[/asin]

[asin]B000026OW3[/asin]
Rubinstein's Chopin is wonderful stuff, often a benchmark in this music.
[asin]B000003EQK[/asin]
This second disc is a one disc compilation taken from the set above it and used versions are quite cheap (if the complete set seems too much to start). It will give you a cross-section to see if you like it.

Verdi - not sure how to go about this if you don't like opera. The most well know operas are probably Rigoletto, LA Traviata and Il Travotore. Aida is also popular as is Otello. You should probably check out the VErdi thread for more on those. You could try his string quartets, which are nice but not his main output. Perhaps you'd like his requiem, with this being a traditionally popular recommendation:
[asin]B000GUJZVE[/asin]

There are many good versions of all of these pieces, so don't hesitate to try others. You can always ask here if you are unsure of the quality of the performers.

Quote from: Moe on March 23, 2013, 08:50:01 AM

EDIT: Would love some piano/cello/violin concerto. (An oboe is fine too!)

Here's some Oboe suggestions. Starting with Baroque era and Vivaldi. This is a beautiful disc, and Vivaldi could compose some fine concerti (over 400 I believe). And then fast forward a few centuries to 1945 and Strauss' Oboe Concerto. It's still very romantic in nature, and one of Strauss' best pieces from his later period.

[asin] B00266LA2S[/asin]

[asin] B000059TL6[/asin]

Random listening to some of the classical stations available on the internet might be useful, no cost, and you can turn off what you don't like  or make notes to follow up what you did like.  There are at least a couple of threads with links on some of the boards.

Hey Moe, maybe this was recommended ('listener' basically just did), but have you tried Spotify?  You might want to pay for a subscription to avoid adverts etc, but the selections is amazing.  I guess you did say you preferred discs---as do I, I'm old-fashioned---but it's possible that you could pay for one month and sample a HUGE AMOUNT of stuff that you see discussed at GMG, then you know how to invest in CDs. 

Anyway, I think you could set aside a short period of time for 'trial testing' a lot of things, listening in a way that you would not normally; then you know where to go.  Actually, I should probably take my own advice, haha.  I take way too many chances buying discs without listening to whole albums first on Spotify.   :-[

I must say I love threads like this.  Almost every time, things I haven't heard are recommended as good intro/basic/essential/etc type discs; sometimes, they are things I have never heard of or thought about getting.  I'm going to start creating alternative GMG member accounts under pseudonyms and nationalities, just to solicit lists/threads/recommendations like this, haha.

To be honest if you just want hummable tunes this will suit you
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0034G33WY/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1364135666&sr=8-2&pi=SL75

Oh wow.

Thank you all for these great replys :-)

I'm currently going through the different lists of recommendations and are ordering later tonight!

Thanks a bunch for everything, everybody! It's always a great experience to visit the forums.

Moe.

Quote from: James on March 24, 2013, 11:34:54 AM
Moe ..

CHOPIN .. Nocturnes

[asin]B0000041ND[/asin]
LISZT .. Piano Concertos, Sonata

[asin]B0000041C4[/asin]

Great, great, great!

Liszt was just what I needed on my list :-)