[Geek]

Hey everyone. I am looking for recommendations for top-notch audiophile recordings. Post your suggestions here for the three best recordings you own, sound quality being the most important factor to consider.

I'm trying to both get a better variety of music and also buy some CDs that keep up with my rig.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Geek

 

[MusicJunkie]

I just picked up a copy of Stravinsky's Orpheus and Danses Concertantes by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. The sound quality is astounding and the playing is top notch. If you like Stravinsky this one is a sure winner.

MJ

 

[KR...]

Mahler – Das Lied Von Der Erde (Reference Recordings)
Tchaikovsky - 1812 (Telarc 2001)
Respighi – Belkis, Queen of Sheba (Reference Recording)

 

[Geek]

Awesome. This is right up my alley. I am primarily looking for symphonic, opera, chamber, and of course solo instrumental music of any era; also light jazz, jazz, blues, and funk. Whatever you guys think.

Cheers,
Geek

 

[peter braun]

Dr. Michael White "Jazz from the Soul of New Orleans"

This really ''cool" jazz album recieved a five star rating in the sonics category from Stereophile, and I to can attest to its superb recording quality. It has some unreal vocal tracks.

Christian McBride "Getting to It"

Dave Matthews Band "Live at Luther College"

 

[j-curve]

The best recording I've heard is Mahler 4 by de Waart/Netherlands Radio/RCA,BMG/(1993).

This will blow you away if you are able to get hold of it. Unfortunately it seems to be largely unavailable for the time being.

You can read more about this recording in DarkAngel's Mahler thread.


Runner-up is Vaughan Williams #1 - "Symphony of the Sea" by Slatkin/London Philharmonia/RCA,BMG/(1993), although I've only ever heard it once on my Walkman FM radio through MX400 earbuds! Been looking for the CD ever since.


Interesting that both were recorded by RCA Victor. Hmm, both in 1993 too. Wonder if it was by the same people...(?)


When I know what the 3rd recommendation is I'll pass it on.

 

[fractus2]

Quote:

Originally posted by MusicJunkie I just picked up a copy of Stravinsky's Orpheus and Danses Concertantes by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. The sound quality is astounding and the playing is top notch. If you like Stravinsky this one is a sure winner. MJ

I just got this one in the other day MusicJunkie and am listening to it right now as a matter of fact. Great recording, I'm loving the sound.

 

[assassin]

I generally find the musical content on audiophile labels to be quite boring. Here are some albums that I really enjoy both production wise and musically:

Holly Cole Trio - Don't Smoke in Bed (worth getting just for the cover of "I Can See Clearly Now")

Chris Isaak - Heart Shaped World (amazing vocals)

Dead Can Dance - Into the Labyrinth (an eclectic mix)

 

[dgardner]

Holly Cole - Tennessee Waltz is amazing...

 

[N@Z]

Billie Holiday - Songs for Distingue lovers
Jazz at the Pawn Shop
Peter Malick Group (featureing Norah Jones) - New York City
Rebecca Pidgeon - Retrospective
Rebecca Pidgeon - The New York Girls Club
The Dave Brubeck Quartet - At the Carnegi Hall (Live)


Non audiophile but sounds good nonetheless:
David Sylvian - Champor
Mark Knopfler - Sailing to Philadelphia
Sarah McLachlan - Afterglow
The Thomas Crown Affair - Soundtrack
... too many to list.

 

[jamont]

Three good ones:

Shostakovich, Symphony No. 8, Haitink, Concertgebouw (Decca)
Shostakovich, Symphonies No. 1 and 15, Lopez-Cobos, Cincinnati SO (Telarc)
Mahler, Symphony No. 3, Lopez-Cobos, Cincinnati SO (Telarc)

 

[Alu]

All of the Yoko Kanno Albums are very well recorded. It's rather a mixture of all sorts of genres while even creating something like a new one.

http://www.jameswong.com/ykproject/disc/music.php

 

[romesaz]

Jazz vocal: Victoria Tolstoy, amazing voice, if you can find any of her albums.
Jazz: Bill Evans - Conversations with Myself
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue, CLASSIC (not classical

)
Coltrane (anything really)

hmm.... Bjork - debut

One that i dun think would be mentioned: HooverPhonic - Blue Wonder Power Milk. Incredible album, incredible band

My picks for now.

 

[amadeuswus]

Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances, Oue/Minnesota Orchestra (Reference Recordings);

Bach Art of the Fugue, Labadie/Les Violons du Roy (Dorian);

Bartok Concerto for Orchestra, Leinsdorf/Boston Symphony (RCA "High Performance" remastering).


These are good performances as well. If it ain't got that swing...

 

[aerius]

Quote:

Originally Posted by N@Z Non audiophile but sounds good nonetheless: Sarah McLachlan - Afterglow

It's pretty good (it better be since Bob Ludwig mastered it), but personally I think her "Solace" album sounds nicer, and musically it kills Afterglow imo. My basic rule of thumb, if Bob Ludwig did the mastering, it's good. However my Ludwig mastered CD's don't fit into the genres Geek is looking for, with the possible exception of "Boys for Pele" by Tori Amos.

For fun weird jazzy stuff, anything by Sarah Slean is good. "Universe", "Day One", and "Nightbugs" are all fit into the requirements and stretch them a bit too.

As for solo instrumental music, in this case traditional fiddle tunes, Natalie MacMaster has some great stuff in this area. Check out "My Roots are Showing" for the traditional songs and "In My Hands" for a more updated take on them. The former is better recorded.