Your Reference CD's (Classical)

[jamont]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masonjar Have you heard Slatkin's on RCA? I have to say, it's pretty darn good too. I have the Haitink on vinyl.. always pull that out when I get a chance to hook up some new speakers.

Yes, I have a copy and it's very good. I'm also fond of Jarvi's recording on Chandos with the SNO, but the Haitink/Concertgebouw remains my top choice.

 

[HVK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyson Brahms Piano Concertos performed by Gilels and conducted by Jochum. I use it to make sure that the emotion of the performance is not lost on whatever gear I'm demo-ing. Mozart Piano Concerto #20 performed by Brendel, conducted by Mackerras - the best disk I have for imaging of a large group of musicians. On the right equipment you can hear where every single musician is at, clearly defined in space. Bach Cello Suites performed by Fournier. Again use it for making sure emotion is not lost. It is also great for listening to how well the equipment transitions from the bass ranges up to the midrange, that is usually a problem area for a lot of equipment. Mahler Symphony #2 conducted by Klemperer - used to judge dynamic swings and ability to reproduce full orchestral power. Beethoven "Kreutzer" violin Sonata performed by Perlman and Ashkenazy - used to judge microdynamics, speed, and ability to follow instrumental interplay. Beethoven "Razumovsky" String Quartet #1 performed by the Emerson Quartet. Used mainly to judge ability to sort out and clearly present multiple instrumental lines and interplay. It's been a while since I counted, but I'm pretty sure my classical collection is around 3000 or so.

3000!!! I bow to your collection!!

 

[mickelae]

bach - the art of fugue (emerson string quartet)

edit: and also wagner overture and prelude (barenboim and chicago symphony orchestra)

 

[scottder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickelae bach - the art of fugue (emerson string quartet)

Excellent CD, Excellent Sound!

 

[HVK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickelae bach - the art of fugue (emerson string quartet) edit: and also wagner overture and prelude (barenboim and chicago symphony orchestra)

Pick up Abbado and the BPO doing Wagner Orchestral that came out a year or so ago. Remarkable sound and a remarkable performance.

 

[kiwirugby]

Try the following:

Rips-her-corset-off Sheherezade
Tchaikovsky 1812 (and listen for clipping with the cannons)
Any Stravinsky ballet (but listen to the quiet opening of Firebird for pianissimo double bass)
Any Bach keyboard pieces (Well-Tempered Clavier; Goldberg Variations; Italian Concerto)
Shubert Trout Quintet (again listen to the double bass "solos" - you can see where my prioritis lie!)

 

[scottder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HVK Pick up Abbado and the BPO doing Wagner Orchestral that came out a year or so ago. Remarkable sound and a remarkable performance.

Is this what you are referring to?

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottder Is this what you are referring to?

I think he was referring to this:
Wagner

This is CD that BMG yourmusic.com has for $5.99 + free shipping if you want to join (get Abbado M9 also):
yourmusic

A great Wagner orchestral collection featuring Jochum, Bohm, Kubelik, Karajan:
Wagner

 

[mrkangpae]

OneMalt/kiwirugby: Emphatic emphatic second for the Firebird. Phenomenal.

Tyson: Emphatic emphatic disagreement with Gilels' performance of Brahms. Super stiff. I hated this set of performances the moment he carelessly tossed away the opening to the 1st.

jamont: Emphatic emphatic second for Haitink's Shosty.

My recommendations
-STRAVINSKY, RITE OF SPRING (GERGIEV. This is a MONSTER of a recording.)

-Olivier Messiaen, Turangalila Symphonie (Chung / Orch. de Bastille)

-Saint-saens, Organ Symphony, 2nd Mvt. (de Waart / SFS is nice. Chung does it well too, but I like the organ in the SFS recording better.)

-Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 4, 3rd Mvt. (Mravinsky / Leningrad PO. Recording is old, but the performance is irreplaceable.)

-Ravel, Piano Concerto in G (Argerich does this fantastically.)

-Any chamber music (first recording I reach for is any recording I have of the Brahms Pno 5tet. Though admittedly not for referencing reasons. More just a personal soft spot. )

These recordings are pretty self-explanatory in terms of their appropriateness for referencing.