Classical Music
Like the other lists of recordings on this website, this list will obviously be forever incomplete. I will keep adding as time goes, but there are many other wonderful recordings of these works. Let this simply be a beginning on your road to discovery...
I will add, as time permits, a grade for Recording Quality: RQ. The scale used is from 1 to 5, 1 being the lowest quality, 5 the highest. There are sometimes large differences in quality, depending on the origin of the pressing, and of the re-issue, when applicable (see the NOTE in my introductory page). Therefore the ratings below relate only to the pressings I know. Note that some digital recordings are graded highly; I am aware that some audiophiles reject digital pressings altogether, so this needs to be taken in account when reading the gradings.
A quick note about the Decca vs London pressings: As Arthur Salvatore has noted, those pressings were made from the same masters, so there is actually no difference in quality between the two labels (at least, no intentional difference--they all vary, as is the case with any pressing by any record company). Someone posted a proof to this similarity here.
​
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)
- Sonatas and Partitas, for solo violin
• Arthur Grumiaux (Philips) // RQ: 5
• Yehudi Menuhin (EMI -- historic mono)
• Georges Enesco (Olympic Records) // RQ: 3
• Zino Francescatti (Columbia) // RQ: 3
- Suites, for solo cello
• Pablo Casals (EMI, recorded 1936-39) // RQ: 2
• Mstislav Rostropovich (EMI)
• Pierre Fournier (DGG)
- Well-tempered Clavier
• Sviatoslav Richter, piano (Melodyia, recorded 1970-1973) // RQ: 3
• Glenn Gould, piano (CBS) // RQ: 4
• Friedrich Gulda (Philips)
• Edwin Fischer, piano (EMI)
• Wilhelm Kempff, piano (DGG) // RQ: 4
• Wanda Landowska, harpsichord (RCA Victor -- historic mono)
- English Suites
• Glenn Gould, piano (CBS)
- The two and three-part Inventions
• Glenn Gould, piano (CBS)
- Goldberg Variations
• Glenn Gould, piano (1st and 2nd versions) (CBS -- 1st version mono; 2nd version stereo)
• Wilhelm Kempff, piano (DGG)
• Gustav Leonhardt, harpsichord (Harmonia Mundi)
- Concerto for violin, strings and continuo in a minor
• Yehudi Menuhin, The Roberts Masters Chamber Orchestra, Menuhin (Hi-Q Records, recorded 1958) — with Violin Concerto in E, Double Concerto in d // RQ: 4.5
• David Oistrakh, Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, Eugene Goossens (DGG) — with Violin Concerto in E, Double Concerto in d
• Sigiswald Kuijken, La Petite Bande, Sigiswald Kuijken (Pro Arte Digital) — with Violin Concerto in E, Double Concerto in d
• Arthur Grumiaux, Les Solistes Romands, Arpad Gérecz (Philips) — with Violin Concerto in E, Double Concerto in d
- Concerto for violin, strings and continuo in E Major
• Yehudi Menuhin, The Roberts Masters Chamber Orchestra, Menuhin (Hi-Q Records) — with Violin Concerto in a, Double Concerto in d // RQ: 4.5
• David Oistrakh, Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, Eugene Goossens (DGG) — with Violin Concerto in a, Double Concerto in d
• Sigiswald Kuijken, La Petite Bande, Sigiswald Kuijken (Pro Arte Digital) — with Violin Concerto in a, Double Concerto in d
• Arthur Grumiaux, Herman Krebbers, Les Solistes Romands, Arpad Gérecz (Philips) — with Violin Concerto in a, Double Concerto in d
- Concerto for two violins, strings and continuo in d minor
• Yehudi Menuhin, Christian Ferras, The Roberts Masters Chamber Orchestra, Menuhin (Hi-Q Records, recorded 1959) — with Violin Concerto in E, Violin Concerto in a // RQ: 4.5
• David Oistrakh, Igor Oistrakh, Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, Eugene Goossens (DGG) — with Violin Concerto in E, Violin Concerto in a
• Sigiswald Kuijken, Lucy van Dael, La Petite Bande, Sigiswald Kuijken (Pro Arte Digital) — with Violin Concerto in E, Violin Concerto in a
• Arthur Grumiaux, Herman Krebbers, Les Solistes Romands, Arpad Gérecz (Philips) — with Violin Concerto in E, Violin Concerto in a
• Arthur Grumiaux, Koji Toyoda, New Philarmonia Orchestra, Edo de Waart (Philips) — with Concerto for oboe, violin, strings and continuo, Vivaldi Concerto for violin, strings and continuo
- Brandenburg Concertos
• Concentus Musicus Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Telefunken Digital)
• Philarmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer (Angel)
- Das Musikalische Opfer
• Musica Antiqua Köln, Reinhard Goebel (Archiv Produktion)
- Overtures, No.1-4
• Concentus Musicus Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Das Alte Werk Telefunken)
- Christmas Oratorio
• Esswood, Equiluz, Nimsgern, Chorus Viennesis, Concentus Musicus Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Telefunken) // RQ: 4.5
- Mass in b minor
• Stader, Töpper, Haefliger, Engen, Fischer-Dieskau, Münchener Bach-Chor, Münchener Bach-Orchester, Karl Richter (Archiv Produktion)
BÉLA BARTÓK (1881-1945)
- 44 Duos, for 2 violins
• Sándor Végh, Alberto Lisy (Telefunken) // RQ: 4
- String Quartets
• Quatuor Végh (Valois - mono or stereo) // RQ: 5 (stereo version)
Extraordinary, intense interpretation of these quartets.
- Piano Concerto no.1
• Maurizio Pollini, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Piano Concerto no.2
- Piano Concerto no.2
• Sviatoslav Richter, Orchestre de Paris, Lorin Maazel (EMI) — with Prokofiev Piano Concerto no.5 • Maurizio Pollini, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Piano Concerto no.1
• Geza Anda, Radio Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay (DGG) — with Piano Concerto no.3
• Stephen Bishop, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis (Philips) — with Stravinsky Concerto for piano and winds
- Piano Concerto no.3
• Geza Anda, Radio Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay (DGG) — with Piano Concerto no.2
• Stephen Bishop, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis (Philips) — with Piano Concerto no.1
- Divertimento, for string orchestra
• Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Rudolf Barshai (Kind Record, 1992, recorded 1962 by Decca) — with Vivaldi Concerti Grossi, op.3
- Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta
• London Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti (London) — with The Miraculous Mandarin, Suite
- The Miraculous Mandarin, Suite
• London Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti (London) — with Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta
- Bluebueard’s Castle, for voices and orchestra
• Troyanos, Nimsgern, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez (CBS)
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
- Bagatelles, for piano
• Stephen Bishop (Philips): op.33, 119, 126 // RQ: 4.5
- Complete Sonatas
• Claudio Arrau (Philips - recorded 1960-66) // RQ: 4
- Sonata No.17, op.31 no.2 “Tempest”
• Sviatoslav Richter (Angel, recorded in 1961) — with Schumann Fantasie in C, op.17 // RQ: 3
• Glenn Gould (CBS) // RQ: 4
- Sonata No.21, op.53 “Waldstein”
• Daniel Barenboim (EMI) - with Sonata no.31 op.110
- Sonata No. 23, op.57 “Appassionata”
• Sviatoslav Richter (Fabbri Editori, recorded in 1960) — with Sonata op.26 “Marcia Funebre” // RQ: 2
- Sonata No.28, op.101
• Artur Schnabel (Angel -- historic) — with Sonata No.30, op. 109
• Stephen Bishop (Philips) — with Sonata No.30, op. 109
- Sonata No.29, op.106 “Hammerklavier”
• Ernst Levy (Kapp Records -- historic, 1958) // RQ: 3
• Christoph Eschenbach (DGG)
• Rudolf Serkin (CBS) — with Bagatelles op.119
• Daniel Barenboim (DGG)
- Sonata No.30, op.109
• Artur Schnabel (Angel -- historic) — with Sonata No.28 op. 101
• Stephen Bishop (Philips) — with Sonata No.28 op. 101
- Sonata No.31, op.110
• Daniel Barenboim (EMI) — with Sonata No.21 op.53 “Waldstein”
- Sonata No.32, op.111
• Ernst Levy (Unicorn -- historic, 1956) // RQ: 2
- The Late Piano Sonatas
• Maurizio Pollini (DGG): includes op. 101, 106, 109, 110, 111
- Fifteen Variations with Fugue op.35, “Eroica Variations,” for piano
• Sviatoslav Richter (Le Chant du Monde - Melodyia, recorded 1970) — with Six Variations op.34, Six Variations op.76
• Claudio Arrau (Philips - recorded 1968) — with 32 Variations on an Original Theme in c minor, 6 Variations in F Major, op. 35 // RQ: 5
- Diabelli Variations, for piano
• Stephen Bishop (Philips) // RQ: 4
• Alfred Brendel (Philips)
• Friedrich Gulda (BASF)
- No.7 in c minor, op.30 no.2
• Yehudi Menuhin, Wilhelm Kempff (DGG, 1970) — with Sonata for violin and piano no.10 op.96 // RQ: 4
- No.10 in G Major, op.96
• Yehudi Menuhin, Wilhelm Kempff (DGG, 1970) — with Sonata for violin and piano no.7 op.30 no.2 // RQ: 4
- Sonatas for violoncello and piano
• Mstislav Rostropovitch, Sviatoslav Richter (Philips, recorded 1961-63) // RQ: 3
- String Quartets
• LaSalle Quartet (DGG) // RQ: 4
• Quartetto Italiano (Philips) // RQ: 5
• Amadeus Quartet (DGG) // RQ: 4
- Concerto for violin and orchestra
• Jasha Heifetz, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch (RCA Victor, recorded Nov. 1955; reissue Classic Records) // RQ: 4
The Classic Records reissue is very good--better than the old RCA Victor Red Seal, which is a bit harsh sounding.
• David Oistrakh, French National Radio Orchestra, André Cluytens (EMI Testament, original recording 1959; recorded Sept. 1958) // RQ: 4
• Isaac Stern, New York Philarmonic, Leonard Bernstein (CBS) // RQ: 3
• Arthur Grumiaux, New Philarmonia Orchestra, Alceo Galliera (Philips) — with Violin Romance no.1, Violin Romance no.2 // RQ: 4
• David Oistrakh, U.S.S.R. State Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Gauk (Spectrum, or Vox -- historic) // RQ: 2
- Concerto for piano and orchestra n.1
• Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Wiener Philarmoniker, Carlo Maria Guilini (DGG-Speakers Corner reissue) // RQ: 4.5
Concertos often suffer from problems of balance similar to the ones encountered with opera (soloist miked too close, or poorly integrated in the sound stage); by these standards, this production isn’t bad at all. In any case, the performance is exceptional.
• Martha Argerich, Philarmonia Orchestra, Giuseppe Sinopoli (DGG, 1986, digital) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra n.2
• Friedrich Gulda, Wiener Philarmoniker, Horst Stein (London, King Super Analog) // RQ: 3.5
- Concerto for piano and orchestra n.2
• Martha Argerich, Philarmonia Orchestra, Giuseppe Sinopoli (DGG, 1986, digital) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra n.1
- Concerto for piano and orchestra n.3
• Sviatoslav Richter, Philarmonia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (EMI, recorded 1977) — with Andante Favori in F, G 170
- Concerto for piano and orchestra n.4
• Arthur Schnabel, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Frederick Stock (RCA, 1955 - mono, recorded 1942) // RQ: 2
• Friedrich Gulda, Wiener Philarmoniker, Horst Stein (London, King Super Analog) // RQ: 3.5
- Concertos for piano and orchestra n.1-5
• Daniel Barenboim, New Philarmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer (EMI) - with Choral Fantasy // RQ: 4
• Solomon, The Philarmonia Orchestra, Herbert Menges for Nos. 2 and 4, André Cluytens for Nos1, 3, 5 (EMI)
• Arthur Schnabel, London Symphony Orchestra, Philarmonia Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent (Angel, 1932, 1946-1947 -- historic, mono)
* Claudio Arrau, Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, Bernard Haitink (Philips)
- Symphony no.5
• Symphonie-Orchester Barshai Moskau, Rudolf Barshai (Melodia/Eurodisc, recorded 1972) — with Coriolan Overture // RQ: 3
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Carlos Kleiber (DGG)
• Concertgebouw-Orchester Amsterdam, Willem Mengelberg (Philips - historic mono, live performances 1940) — with Symphony no.9 // RQ: 2
- Symphony no.6
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG) //RQ: 4 (Japanese pressing)
- Symphony no.7
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Carlos Kleiber (DGG) // RQ: 3
An extraordinary reading of this symphony; never mind that the recording quality isn’t as stellar as the performance.
- Symphony no.8
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG, 1977 in set below)
- Symphony no.9
• Pilar Lorengar, Yvonne Minton, Stuart Burrows, Martti Tavela, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti (London, 1972; Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab) // RQ: 5
- Symphonies (complete)
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG, 1977) // RQ: 3-4
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG, 1963) • NBC Orchestra, Arturo Toscanini (RCA -- historic mono) // RQ: 3
- Missa Solemnis
• Janowitz, Ludwig, Wunderlich, Berry, Wiener Singverein, Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG stereo or mono) // RQ: 4 (stereo)
I don’t know a better rendering of the Agnus Dei... and there are many other wonderful moments. The mono version is really for mono fanatics.
ALBAN BERG (1885-1935)
- String Quartet op.3, Lyrische Suite, for string quartet
• LaSalle Quartet (DGG, 1971; recorded March and December 1968) — with Schoenberg Op.7, 10, 30, 37 and String Quartet in D; Webern Op.5, 9, 28
- Chamber Concerto for violin, piano and 13 wind instruments
• Sviatoslav Richter, Oleg Kagaan, Ensemble du Conservatoire de Moscou, Youri Nicolaeievsky (EMI, recorded 1977)
- Concerto for violin and orchestra
• Isaac Stern, New York Philarmonic, Leonard Bernstein (CBS) — with Barber Violin Concerto
• Arthur Grumiaux, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Igor Markevitch (Philips) — with Three Pieces for Orchestra op.6
- Fünf Altenberg Lieder op.4
• London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Symphonic Pieces from Lulu, Three Pieces for Orchestra op.6
The premiere of these songs in 1913 caused a famous musical scandal in Vienna, Arnold Schönberg conducting...
- Three Pieces for Orchestra, op.6
• London Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati (Philips) - with Concerto for violin and orchestra // RQ: 4.5
• London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Symphonic Pieces from Lulu, Five Altenberg Lieder op.4
• BBC Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez (CBS) — with Chamber Concerto for piano, violin and 13 wind instruments, Five Altenberg Lieder op.4
- Lulu Suite
• Margaret Price, London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Three Pieces op.6, Five Altenberg Lieder op.4 • Judith Blegen, New York Philarmonic, Pierre Boulez (CBS) — with Der Wein
- Wozzek, opera
• Lear, Fischer-Dieskau, Kohn, Melchert, Stolze, Wunderlich, Schönberger Sängerknaben, Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Karl Böhm (DGG) // RQ: 3
- Lulu, opera
• Stratas, Minton, Schwarz, Mazura, Riegel, Blankenheim, Tear, Pampuch, Orchestre de l’Opéra de Paris, Pierre Boulez (DGG) // RQ: 4
The only version on vinyl with the completed third act, it faithfully reflects the electricity of the performances as it was palpable when that version was premiered in Paris in 1979.
• Silja, Wien Philarmoniker, Christoph von Dohnányi (London)
LUCIANO BERIO (1925-2003)
- Folk Songs, for voice and ensemble
• Cathy Berberian, BBC Symphony Orchestra, The Juilliard Ensemble, Luciano Berio (RCA) — with Epiphanie // RQ: 3
- Cries of London, for voices
• Swindle II, Luciano Berio (Decca Headline, 1976) — with A-Ronne // RQ: 5
- Nones, Allelujah II, Concerto for two pianos
• Canino, Ballista, London Symphony Orchestra, Berio Boulez, Luciano Berio (RCA) // RQ: 4
- Coro, for voices and orchestra
• Kölner Rundfunkchor, Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester, Luciano Berio (DGG) // RQ: 4
HECTOR BERLIOZ (1803-1869)
- Les Nuits d’Eté, op.7, for voice and orchestra
• Janet Baker, New Philarmonia Orchestra London, John Barbirolli (EMI) — with Mahler Fünf Rückert-Lieder (also available on EMI with Ravel’s Shéhérazade instead of the Mahler cycle)
- Symphonie Fantastique
• Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch (RCA) // RQ: 4
Munch also recorded this symphony with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra--a curiosity.
• Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, Eduard van Beinum (London - mono) — with Roman Carnival Overture // RQ: 3
- Te Deum, op.22
• Franco Tagliavini, tenor, Nicolas Kynaston, organ,The Wandsworth School Boys’ Choir, London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Colin Davis (Philips) - with L’Enfance du Christ, Requiem // RQ: 4
- Requiem (Grande Messe des Morts, op.5)
• Peter Schreier, Chor und Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Charles Munch (DGG, 1960)
• Ronald Dowd, The Wandsworth School Boys’ Choir, London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Colin Davis (Philips, 1969) — with L’Enfance du Christ, Te Deum // RQ: 4
HARRISON BIRTWISTLE (1934-)
- Verses, for ensemble
• The London Sinfonietta, David Atherton (Decca Headline) — with Nenia-The Death of Orpheus, The Fields of Sorrow // RQ: 5
- Punch and Judy, opera
• Phyllis Bryn-Julson, Jan DeGaetani, Philip Langridge, Stephen Roberts, David Wilson-Johnson, John Tomlinson, The London Sinfonietta, David Atherton (Decca Headline) // RQ: 5
PIERRE BOULEZ (1925-2016)
- Pli selon Pli, for voice and orchestra
• Phyllis Bryn-Julson, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez (Erato) // RQ: 4
- Rituel, for orchestra
• BBC Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez (CBS) — with Eclat-Multiples
JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833-1897)
- Hungarian Dance No.1, piano arrangement
• Johannes Brahms, piano: recorded in 1889 (original recording) // RQ: 0.5…
- Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano, op.114
• Karl Leister, Georg Donderer, Christoph Eschenbach (DGG) — with Trio for Horn, Violin and Piano, op.40
- Trio for Horn, Violin and Piano, op.40
• Gert Seifert, Eduard Drolc, Christoph Eschenbach (DGG) — with Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano, op.114
• James Stagliano, Arthur Grumiaux, Gregory Tucker (Boston Records) - with Punto Quartet for Horn and Strings
- Clarinet Quintet, op.115
• Karl Leister, Amadeus Quartet (DGG)
- Concerto for violin and orchestra in D Major, op.77
• Zino Francescatti, New York Philarmonic, Leonard Bernstein (Columbia)
- Concerto for piano and orchestra no.1 in d minor
• Claudio Arrau, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bernard Haitink (Philips) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.2
• Rudolf Serkin, Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy (CBS -- mono) // RQ: 3
• Clifford Curzon, London Symphony Orchestra, George Szell (London, 1962; 45 rpm ORG re-issue, 2011) // RQ: 4.5
• Stephen Bishop, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis (Philips)
- Concerto for piano and orchestra no.2 in Eb Major
• Sviatoslav Richter, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf (RCA -- available in mono or stereo)
- Double concerto for violin, cello and orchestra, op.120
• Igor Oistrahk, Mstislav Rostropovich, Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Georg Szell (EMI, 1969)
• Jasha Heifetz, Gregor Piatigorsky, RCA Symphony Orchestra, Alfred Wallenstein (RCA Victor, recorded in May 1960)
• Zino Francescatti, Pierre Fournier, Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Bruno Walter (CBS) — with Tragic Overture, op.81
- Symphony no.4
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Carlos Kleiber (DGG - digital) // RQ: 3.5
Amazing rendering of this symphony
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Istvan Kertesz (Decca, 1973) // RQ: 4
- Symphonies (complete)
• Philarmonia Orchestra London, Otto Klemperer (EMI) // RQ: 3
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG) // RQ: 4
The Karajan set is uneven (4th Symphony...), but worthwhile for the good bits
MAX BRUCH (1838-1920)
- Violin Concerto No.1 in g minor, for violin and orchestra
• Yehudi Menuhin, The Philarmonia Orchestra, Walter Susskind (Hi-Q Records, Supercuts; EMI 1958, recorded in 1956) — with Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in e minor // RQ: 3.5
ANTON BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
- Symphony no.3
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Carl Schuricht (EMI, 1966) (1899 version)
- Symphony no.4
• Kölner Rundfunk Sinfonie-Orchester, Günter Wand (Pro Arte) (original version)
- Symphony no.5
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG) // RQ: 4
- Symphony no.6
• Kölner Rundfunk Sinfonie-Orchester, Günter Wand (Harmonia Mundi, 1977) (original version 1879-81)
- Symphony no.7
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Georg Solti (Decca, 1966) — with Wagner Siegfried Idyll
- Symphony no.9
• Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG, 2014; recorded live in Lucerne, August 2013) // RQ: 4
JOHN CAGE (1912-1992)
- Music For Marcel Duchamp, for piano
• Juan Hidalgo (Cramps) - with Music for Amplified Toy Pianos, Radio Music, 4/33”, Sixty-Two Mesostics re Merce Cunningham
- HPSCHD, for harpsichords and Computer-Generated Sound Tapes
• Antoinette Vischer, Neely Bruce, David Tudor (Nonesuch) — with Johnston String Quartet no.2
- Second Construction, for four percussion players
• The Kroumata Percussion Ensemble (BIS) — with Cowel Pulse, Lundquist Sisu, Taïra Hiérophonie V
- Concerto for Prepared Piano and Orchestra
• Yuji Takahashi, Buffalo Philarmonic Orchestra, Lukas Foss (Nonesuch) — with Foss Baroque Variations
ELLIOTT CARTER (1908-2012)
- String Quartet no.1
• The Composers Quartet (Nonesuch) - with String Quartet no.2
- String Quartet no.2
• The Composers Quartet (Nonesuch) — with String Quartet no.1
• The Juilliard Quartet (CBS) — with String Quartet no.3
- Concerto for piano and orchestra
• Ursula Oppens, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Michael Gielen (New World Records) — with Variations for Orchestra
- Concerto for orchestra
• New York Philarmonic, Leonard Bernstein (CBS) — with Schuman In Praise of Shahn
- Symphony of Three Orchestras
• New York Philarmonic, Pierre Boulez (CBS) — with A Mirror on Which to Dwell
MARC ANTOINE CHARPENTIER (1643-1704)
- Messe pour les Trépassés, for 8 voices, double choir and orchestra
• Rosat, Smith, Schaer, Elwes, Serafim, Huttenlocher, Brodard, Choeur Symphonique et Orchestre de la Fondation Gulbenkian, Lisbonne (Erato) — with Miserere des Jésuites
ERNEST CHAUSSON (1855-1899)
- Poème, for violin and orchestra
• Igor Oistrakh, Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gennady Rozhdestvensky (Melodia) — with Saint-Saëns Havanaise and Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Ravel Tzigane
• Arthur Grumiaux, Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux, Manuel Rosenthal (Philips) — with Lalo Symphonie Espagnole, Berlioz Rêverie et Caprice, Saint-Saëns Havanaise and Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Ravel Tzigane
- Symphonie op.20
• Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Ernest Ansermet (Decca) — with Franck Les Eolides
- Poème de l’Amour et de la Mer, for voice and orchestra
• Jessye Norman, Orchestre Philarmonique de Monte-Carlo, Armin Jordan (Erato) — with Chanson Perpétuelle, Mélodies
• Janet Baker, London Symphony Orchestra, André Previn (EMI, 1978) — with Duparc Phidylé, La vie antérieure, Le manoir de Rosemonde, Au pays où se fait la guerre, L’invitation au voyage
- Le Roi Arthus, opera
• Zylis-Gara, Quilico, Winbergh, Massis, Friedmann, Loup, Cachemaille, Nouvel Orchestre Philarmonique et Choeurs de Radio France, Armin Jordan (Erato)
FREDERIC CHOPIN (1810-1849)
- Ballades, for piano
• Claudio Arrau (Philips - recorded 1977) — with Fantasie in f minor, op.49 // RQ: 5
- Etudes, for piano
• Maurizio Pollini (DGG)
• Alfred Cortot (EMI -- historic)
- Polonaises, for piano
• Maurizio Pollini (DGG)
- Polonaise-Fantaisie in Ab Major op.61, for piano
• Ingolf Wunder (DGG, recorded 2011) — with Sonata no.3 in b minor, Ballade no.4 in F minor, Andante Spianato in G Major, Grande Polonaise brillante in Eb Major // RQ: 4
- Préludes, for piano
• Ivo Pogorelich (DGG)
• Martha Argerich (DGG)
- Sonata no.2 in bb minor op.35, for piano
• Ivo Pogorelich (DGG) — with Prélude op.45, Scherzo op.39, Nocturne op.55 no.2, Etudes op.10 no.8, 10, op.25 no.6
• Samson François (EMI) — with Sonata no.3
- Sonata no.3 in b minor op.58, for piano
• Ingolf Wunder (DGG, recorded 2011) — with Polonaise-Fantaisie in Ab Major, Ballade no.4 in F minor, Andante Spianato in G Major, Grande Polonaise brillante in Eb Major // RQ: 4
- Scherzi, for piano
• Artur Rubinstein (RCA)
- Valses, for piano
• Dinu Lipatti (EMI -- historic)
AARON COPLAND (1900-1990)
- Piano Sonata
• Leonard Bernstein (New World Records, 1976; recorded 1947) — with Piano Variations, Danzon Cubano, Four Piano Blues
- Piano Variations
• Aaron Copland (New World Records, 1976; recorded 1945) — with Piano Sonata, Danzon Cubano, Four Piano Blues
A curiosity...
- Vitebsk, trio for violin, cello and piano
• Aaron Copland, Earl Carlyss, Claus Adam (CBS) — with Sextet for clarinet, piano and string quartet, Quartet for piano and strings
- Quartet for piano and strings
• Aaron Copland, Members of the Juilliard Quartet (CBS) — with Sextet for clarinet, piano and string quartet, Vitebsk
- Appalachian Spring, ballet
• Original version, complete ballet: Columbia Chamber Orchestra Aaron Copland (CBS) // RQ: 4
GEORGE CRUMB (1929-)
- Lux Aeterna, for voice and instrumental ensemble
• Jan DeGaetani, Penn Contemporary Players, Richard Wernick (Columbia Odyssey) — with Dream Sequence, Four Nocturnes
- Ancient Voices of Children, A cycle of songs on texts by Frederico García Lorca, for mezzo soprano, boy soprano and instrumental ensemble
• Jan DeGaetani, Michael Dash,The Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, Arthur Weisberg (Nonesuch)
- Madrigals, Books I-IV, for voice and instrumental ensemble
• Jan DeGaetani, The University of Pennsylvania Chamber Players, Richard Wernick (New World Records) — with An Idyll for the Misbegotten, Vox Balaenae
CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
- Works for piano
• Préludes, Book I and II, Children’s Corner, Suite Bergamasque: Walter Gieseking (Columbia Odyssey -- historic mono)
- Préludes, for piano
• Arturo Benedetti Michanlegeli (DGG)
- Images, for piano
• Arturo Benedetti Michanlegeli (DGG)
Anyone interested in hearing Debussy playing his own music on the piano can find it on CD at the Pierian Recording Society (PIR0001)
- En blanc et noir, for two pianos
• Martha Argerich, Stephen Bishop Kovacevich (Philips, 1977) - with Barók Sonata for two pianos and percussion, Mozart Andante with Five Variations, K.501
- Mélodies
• Ameling, Command, Mesplé, von Stade, Souzay, Dalton Baldwin, piano (EMI)
- String Quartet
• Budapest String Quartet (Columbia) — with Ravel String Quartet
- Nocturnes, for orchestra
• Boston Symphony Orchestra, New England Conservatory Chorus, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Ravel Daphnis et Chloé, 2ème suite, Pavane pour une Infante Défunte
- La Mer, for orchestra
• Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch (RCA) — with Ravel Rapsodie Espagnole
• Los Angeles Philarmonic Orchestra, Carlo-Maria Guilini (DGG, 1980) — with Ravel Rapsodie Espagnole, Ma Mère l'Oye Suite
- Images, for orchestra
• London Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux (Philips) — with Le Martyre de Saint-Sébastien
• Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch (RCA) // RQ: 4
• Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez (CBS) — with Danses, Sacrée et Profane
- Complete works for orchestra (L'Oeuvre d'Orchestre)
• Orchestre National de l'O.R.T.F., Jean Martinon (EMI, 1974)
A wonderful collection. Martinon is really excellent in Debussy (even if the orchestra isn't quite up to the task at times…)
- Works for orchestra (L'Oeuvre pour orchestre) - contains: Jeux, Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, La Mer, Nocturnes, Images
• Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française, Orchestre du Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, D.-E. Inghelbrecht (EMI, 1973)
- Pelléas et Mélisande, opera
• Spoorenberg, London, Mauranne, Hekman, L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Ernest Ansermet (London, 1964)
• Yakar, Tappy, Taillon, Huttenlocher, Orchestre National de l'Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Armin Jordan (Erato, recorded 1979)
PAUL DUKAS (1865-1935)
- Sonata for piano
• Vladimir Pleshakov (Orion, 1969) — with Chausson Quelques Danses
- "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" for orchestra
• Orchestre National de l'O.R.T.F., Jean Martinon (MHS, original issue by Erato, 1972) — with La Peri, Polyeucte // RQ: 4
• Orchestre National de France, Lorin Maazel (CBS, 1981) — with Offenbach, Gaité Parisienne, Saint-Saëns Danse Macabre // RQ: 3
- Ariane et Barbe-Bleue, opera
• Ciesinski, Paunova, Bacquier, Choeurs de Radio-France, Nouvel Orchestre Philarmonique de Radio-France, Armin Jordan (Erato, digital, 1984) // RQ: 4
HENRI DUTILLEUX (1916-2013)
- Ainsi la nuit, for string quartet
• Quatuor Via Nova (Erato) — with Ligeti String Quartet no.1
- ”Tout un monde lointain,” concerto for cello and orchestra
• Mstislav Rostropovich, Orchestre de Paris, Serge Baudo (EMI, 1975) — with Lutoslawski Cello Concerto // RQ: 4.5
- Métaboles, for orchestra
• Orchestre National de France, Charles Munch (Erato) - with 2ème Symphony (this is the same interpretation of the 2nd symphony as below) // RQ: 4
• Orchestre National de France, Mstislav Rostropovitch (Erato) — with Timbres, Espace, Mouvement // RQ: 4
- 1st Symphony
• Orchestre National de l’O.R.T.F., Jean Martinon (Barclay) — with Martinon Hymne à la vie (Deuxième Symphonie)
- 2nd Symphony
• Orchestre de l’Association des Concerts Lamoureux, Charles Munch (Erato) — with Roussel Suite en fa
- Timbres, Espace, Mouvement, for orchestra
• Orchestre National de France, Mstislav Rostropovich (Erato, 1983) — with Métaboles // RQ: 4
ANTON DVORAK (1841-1904)
- Concerto for cello and orchestra in b minor
• Mstislav Rostropovich, Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG) — with Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme
• Pierre Fournier, Berliner Philarmoniker, George Szell (DGG) // RQ: 4
• Mstislav Rostropovich, Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, Adrian Boult (EMI)
• Paul Tortelier, London Symphony Orchestra, André Previn (EMI)
- Concerto for piano and orchestra
• Sviatoslav Richter, Bayerisches Staatsorchester München, Carlos Kleiber (EMI, 1977; recorded 1976)
- The Golden Spinning Wheel, Symphonic Poem op.109
• Czech Philarmonic Orchestra, Václav Talich (Supraphon) — with The Wood Dove
- The Wood Dove, Symphonic Poem op.110
• Czech Philarmonic Orchestra, Václav Talich (Supraphon) — with The Golden Spinning Wheel
- Symphony no.8
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Istvan Kertesz (Decca - The Super Analog Disc) — with Scherzo Capricioso // RQ: 4.5
- Symphony no.9 “From the New World”
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Istvan Kertesz (Decca-Speakers Corner)
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti (London - digital
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giulini (DGG)
- Requiem, op.89
• Stader, Wagner, Haefliger, Borg, Tschechische Philarmonie Prag, Karel Ancerl (DGG)
MANUEL de FALLA (1876-1946)
- Harpsichord Concerto
• Joaquim Achúcarro, Members of the London Symphony Orchestra, Eduardo Mata (RCA) — with Nights in the Gardens of Spain
- El Sombrero de tres picos
• Colette Boky, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Charles Dutoit (London, digital) — with El amor brujo // RQ: 4
- Nights in the Gardens of Spain
• London Symphony Orchestra, Eduardo Mata (RCA) — with Harpsichord Concerto
- La Vida Breve, opera
• de los Angeles, Gomez, Civil, Payá, Orquesta Sinfónica de la Opera de Barcelona, Ernesto Halffter (RCA Victor)
MORTON FELDMAN (1926-1987)
- For Bunita Marcus, for piano
• Lenio Liatsou (godrec, 2014)
BRIAN FERNEYHOUGH (1943-)
- Sonatas for string quartet
• Berne String Quartet (RCA)
- Funérailles, versions I and II, for strings
• Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez (Erato, 1985) — with Höller Arcus
- Transit, for voice and instrumental ensemble
• Hardy, Hurst, Harrison, Hall, Etheridge, Earle, London Sinfonietta, Elgar Howarth (Decca Headline, 1978) // RQ: 4.5
CESAR FRANK (1822-1890)
- Prélude, Chorale et Fugue, for piano
• Sviatoslav Richter (Melodyia, recorded 1955) — with Schumann Humoresque
- Piano Quintet
• Sviatoslav Richter, Bolshoi String Quartet (Hall of Fame -- historic, recorded 1956)
- Sonata for violin and piano
• David Oistrakh, Sviatoslav Richter (Melodiya, recorded 1968) - with Brahms Sonate no.3 op108 // RQ: 3
• Augustin Dumay, Jean-Philippe Collard (EMI) — with Andantino Quietoso, Duo sur des motifs de “Gulistan” de Dalayrac
- Variations Symphoniques, for piano and orchestra
• Clifford Curzon, London Philarmonic Orchestra, Adrian Boult (Decca, 1959) — with Grieg Piano Concerto in a minor, Litolff Scherzo from Concerto Symphonique // RQ: 4.5
- Symphony in d minor
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux (RCA)
• Philarmonia Orchestra, Carlo Maria Guilini (Angel) — with Psyché et Eros
GEORGE GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
- Rhapsody in Blue, Concerto in F; Versions for two pianos
• Katia Labèque, Marielle Labèque (Philips) // RQ: 3
- Rhapsody in Blue, for piano and orchestra
• Ivan Davis, The Cleveland Orchestra, Lorin Maazel (London) — with An American in Paris, Cuban Overture // RQ: 4.5
- All the Works for Orchestra and for Piano and Orchestra
• Jeffrey Siegel, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin (Vox) // RQ: 3
- An American in Paris, for orchestra
• The Cleveland Orchestra, Lorin Maazel (London) — with Rhapsody in Blue, Cuban Overture // RQ: 4.5
CHARLES GOUNOD (1818-1893)
- Faust, opera
• Gedda, Christoff, De Los Angeles, Choeurs et Orchestre du Theatre National de l’Opera, Paris, André Cluytens (EMI)
EDWARD GRIEG (1843-1907)
- Concerto for piano and orchestra, in a minor
• Solomon, The Philarmonia Orchestra, Herbert Menges (EMI, Quintessence, 1978; recorded 1956) — with Schumann Concerto for piano and orchestra
JOSEPH HAYDN (1732-1809)
- The Last Six Sonatas (56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
• Glenn Gould (CBS)
- Piano Trios, Hob. XV, Nos. 20, 24, 32
• Beaux Arts Trio (Philips) // RQ: 4
- The Last 8 Piano Trios, Hob. XV, No.24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
• Beaux Arts Trio (Philips) // RQ: 4
- Symphony no. 94 “Surprise”
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Pierre Monteux (London, 1970) — with Symphony no.101 // RQ: 4
- Symphony no. 101 “Clock”
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Pierre Monteux (London, 1970) — with Symphony no.94 // RQ: 4
- Die Schöpfung, Oratorio
• Mathis, Fischer-Dieskau, Baldin, Chorus and Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Neville Marriner (Philips)
- Die Jahreszeiten, Oratorio
• Janowitz, Schreier, Talvela, Wiener Singverein, Wiener Symphoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG)
CHARLES IVES (1874-1954)
- Piano Sonata no.2, “Concord Mass. 1840-1860”
• Aloys Kontarsky, Plümacher, Schwegler (Time Records)
- Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano
• Paul Zukofsky, Robert Sylvester, Gilbert Kalish (Columbia) — with Set for string quartet, bass and piano, In Re con Moto et al, Largo
- Strinq Quartets no.1, no.2
• The Concord String Quartet (Nonesuch)
- Central Park in the Dark, for orchestra
• New York Philarmonic, Leonard Bernstein (CBS) — with Symphony no. 3, Decoration Day,The Unanswered Question
- Three Places in New England, for orchestra
• Boston Symphony Orchestra, Michael Tilson Thomas (DGG) — with Ruggles Sun-treader
- Symphony no.1
• Los Angeles Philarmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta (London) — with Symphony no.2 // RQ: 4
- Symphony no.2
• Los Angeles Philarmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta (London) — with Symphony no.1 // RQ: 4
- Symphony no.3 “The Camp Meeting”
• New York Philarmonic, Leonard Bernstein (CBS) — with Decoration Day, Central Park in the Dark, The Unanswered Question
- Symphony no.4
• American Symphony Orchestra, Members of the Schola Cantorum of New York, Leopold Stokowski (Columbia) • London Philarmonic Orchestra, The John Alldis Choir, José Serebrier (RCA)
LEOS JANÁCEK (1854-1928)
- Sinfonietta
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Charles Mackerras (London, digital) — with Taras Bulba, Rhapsody for Orchestra
• Czech Philarmonic, Karel Ancerl (Supraphon) — with Taras Bulba, Rhapsody for Orchestra // RQ: 4
- Jenufa, opera
• Domaninská, Pribyl, Kniplová, Zidek, Mrázová, Prague National Theatre Chorus, and Orchestra, Bohumil Gregor (Angel)
- Katya Kabanova, opera
• Söderström, Dvorsky, Kniplová, Vienna Philarmonic Orchestra, Charles Mackerras (London)
- The Cunning Little Vixen, opera
• Popp, Randová, Jedlicka, Wiener Philarmoniker, Charles Mackerras (London)
- The Makropoulos Case, opera
• Prylová, Zidek, Vonásek, Tattermuschová, Berman, Prague National Theatre Orchestra, Bohumil Gregor (Supraphon, 1966)
ZOLTAN KODALY (1882-1967)
- Háry János-Suite
• London Symphony Orchestra, Istvan Kertesz (London, recorded 1964) — with Dances of Galánta, Two Arias from “Háry János” // RQ: 5
- The Orchestral Works of Zoltán Kodály
• Philarmonia Hungarica, Antal Dorati (London, 1974): Dances of Galánta, Dances of Marosszék, Concerto for Orchestra, Theatre Overture, Háry János Suite, Minuetto Serio, Symphony in C, Variations on an Hungarian Folk-Song (“Peacock Variations”), Ballet-Music, Summer Evening, Hungarian Rondo (Hungarian Tunes)
GYORGY LIGETI (1923-2006)
- Strinq Quartets no.1, no.2
• Arditti Quartet (Wergo, 1978)
- Strinq Quartet no.2
• LaSalle Quartet (DGG) - with Lux aeterna, Volumina, Etüde No.1 “Harmonies”
- Chamber Concerto
• London Sinfonietta, David Atherton (Decca, 1976) — with Melodien, Double Concerto // RQ: 4
- Concerto for cello and orchestra
• Siegried Palm, Sinfonie-Orchester des Hessischen Rundfunks, Michael Gielen (Wergo) — with Penderecki, Weber, Hindemith, Zimmermann
- Concerto for flute, oboe and orchestra
• Aurele Nicolet, Heinz Holliger, London Sinfonietta, David Atherton (Decca, 1976) — with Melodien, Chamber Concerto // RQ: 4
- Lontano, for orchestra
• Sinfonie-Orchester des Südwestfunk, Ernest Bour (Wergo) — with Requiem, Continuum
- Melodien, for orchestra
• The London Sinfonietta, David Atherton (Decca, 1976) — with Double Concerto, Chamber Concerto // RQ: 4
- Aventures, Nouvelles Aventures, for 3 singers and ensemble
• Charlent, Cahn, Pearson, Ensemble Die Reihe, Friedrich Cerha (Candide, 1975) — with Volumina, Etude No.1 “Harmonies”
- Requiem, for voices and orchestra
• Poli, Ericson, Chöre des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Sinfonie-Orchester des Hessischen Rundfunks, Michael Gielen (Wergo) — with Lontano, Continuum // RQ: 4
FRANZ LISZT (1811-1886)
- Douze Etudes d’Exécution Transcendante
• Jorge Bolet (Ensayo) — with Consolations, Liebestraum no.3 // RQ: 4
- Sonata in b minor, for piano
• Ernst Levy (Unicorn -- historic, 1956)
Like the other recordings by Levy, this one is probably impossible to find—but it’s been reissued on CD, for those who really want to hear it...
• Minoru Nojima (Reference Recordings) — with Mephisto Waltz No.1, La Campanella, Harmonies du Soir, Feux Follets // RQ: 5
Best to get the 33rpm version of this one. The 45rpm is not nearly as good sonically.
• Martha Argerich (DGG) — with Schumann Sonata in g minor // RQ: 4
• Lazar Berman (Melodyia) — with Mephisto Waltz No.1 in c minor, Venezia e Napoli // RQ: 2
• Claudio Arrau (Philips - recorded 1970) — with Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude, Waldesrauschen, Gnomenreigen // RQ: 4
• Vladimir Horowitz (Seraphim) — with Funérailles, Schumann Toccata, Arabesque, Traumeswirren, Presto passionato
- Mephisto Waltz No.1in c minor, for piano
• Lazar Berman (Melodyia/CBS, 1976) — with Sonata in b minor, Venezia e Napoli // RQ: 2
• Minoru Nojima (Reference Recordings) — with Sonata in b minor, La Campanella, Harmonies du Soir, Feux Follets // RQ: 5
- Années de Pèlerinage, for piano
• Lazar Berman (DGG, 1977) // RQ: 4
- Late works for piano
• Alfred Brendel: Aux Cyprès de la Villa d’Este, Les Jeux d’Eau de la Villa d’Este, Sunt Lacrymae Rerum, Berceuse, Valse Oubliée no.1, Etoile du Malheur, Insomnie, Marche Funèbre pour la Mort de Mosonyi, Csardas Macabre (Philips)
- Concertos for piano and orchestra no.1, no.2
• Sviatoslav Richter, London Symphony Orchestra, Kyril Kondrashin (Philips -- mono or stereo, recorded 1961) // RQ: 4 (stereo)
• Lazar Berman, Wiener Symphoniker, Carlo Maria Guilini (DGG)
WITOLD LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994)
- Concerto for cello and orchestra
• Mstislav Rostropovich, Orchestre de Paris, Witold Lutoslawski (EMI) — with Dutilleux Cello Concerto // RQ: 4
• Heinrich Schiff, Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Witold Lutoslawski (Philips digital) - with Concerto for Oboe and Harp, Danses Préludes // RQ: 5
- Concerto for oboe, harp, and orchestra
• Heinz Holliger, Ursula Holliger, Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Witold Lutoslawski (Philips digital) — with Concerto for cello and orchestra, Danses Préludes
- Three Poems of Henri Michaux, for choir and orchestra
• Polish Radio Choir, Cracow, Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Witold Lutoslawski, Jan Krenz (Muza Polskie Nagrania) — with Postlude, Symphony
- Concerto for orchestra
• Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Paul Kletzki ((Decca) — with Hindemith Mathis der Mahler
• Orchestre Symphonique de la Philarmonie Nationale de Varsovie, Witold Rowicki (Philips) — with Funeral Music, Venetian Games
One of Lutoslawski most popular works, but hardly one of his best ones.
- Symphony no.1, for orchestra
• Sinfonieorchester Radio Warschau, Jan Krenz (Wergo) — with Symphony no.2
- Symphony no.2, for orchestra
• Sinfonieorchester des Südwestfunks, Baden-Baden, Ernest Bour (Wergo) — with Symphony no.1
- Symphony no.3, for orchestra
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Witold Lutoslawski (DGG) — with Les Espaces du Sommeil
• Los Angeles Philarmonic, Esa Pekka-Salonen (CBS digital) — with Les Espaces du Sommeil
GUILLAUME DE MACHAUT (c.1300-1377)
- Messe Notre Dame à quatre voix
• Deller-Consort London, Collegium Aureum (Harmonia Mundi) — with Perotin le Grand Graduale “Sederunt Principes”
BRUNO MADERNA (1920-1973)
- Aura, for orchestra
• Sinfonieorchester des Norddeutschen Rundfunks, Giuseppe Sinopoli (DGG) — Quadrivium, Biogramma
- Quadrivium, for 4 percussionists and 4 orchestral groups
• Sinfonieorchester des Norddeutschen Rundfunks, Giuseppe Sinopoli (DGG) — Aura, Biogramma
GUSTAV MAHLER (1860-1911)
- Kindertotenlieder, for voice and orchestra
• Kathleen Ferrier, Wiener Philarmoniker, Bruno Walter (EMI - historic mono) — with Haendel, Green, Purcell, Mendelssohn // RQ: 3
• Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Berliner Philarmoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG) — with 4 Lieder nach Gedichten von Friedrich Rückert
- Das Lied von der Erde, for voice and orchestra
• Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak, Wiener Philarmoniker, Bruno Walter (Decca - historic mono)
- Symphony no.1
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG, digital) // RQ: 4.5
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Carlo Maria Guilini (EMI)
• London Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti (Decca, 1964) // RQ: 4.5
- Symphony no.2
• Cundari, Forester, Westminter Choir, New York Philarmonic, Bruno Walter (CBS)
• Venora, Tourel, The Collegiate Chorale, New York Philarmonic, Leonard Bernstein (CBS)
- Symphony no.3
• Jessye Norman, Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor, Wiener Sängerknaben, Wiener Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado (DGG digital) // RQ: 4.5
• Helen Watts, Ambrosian Chorus, Boys from Wandsworth School, London Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti (Decca, 1964) // RQ: 4.5
- Symphony no.4
• Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Philarmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer (EMI) // RQ: 3.5 • Desi Halban, New York Philarmonic, Bruno Walter (CBS -- mono)
• Frederica von Stade, Wiener Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado (DGG) // RQ: 4
• Judith Raskin, Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, George Szell (CBS) // RQ: 3
- Symphony no.5
• New York Philarmonic, Bruno Walter (CBS)
• Gustav Mahler, at the piano (piano roll), playing the 1st movement of this symphony // RQ: 1
- Symphony no.6
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG) // RQ: 4
- Symphony no.8
• Harper, Minton, Popp, Watts, Kollo, Quirk, Talvella, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti (London) // RQ: 4
- Symphony no.9
• Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Bruno Walter (CBS)
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Carlo Maria Guilini (DGG, 1977; recorded 1976) // RQ: 4.5
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Sir John Barbirolli (EMI, 1964) // RQ: 4
• Israel Philarmonic Orchestra, Paul Kletzki (Angel -- historic mono)
PETER MAXWELL DAVIES (1934-2016)
- Eight Songs for a Mad King, for voice and instrumental ensemble
• Julius Eastman, The Fires of London, Peter Maxwell Davies (Unicorn)
FELIX MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
- Violin Concerto in e minor, op.64
• Yehudi Menuhin, The Philarmonia Orchestra, Efrem Kurtz (Hi-Q Records, Supercuts; EMI 1958, recorded in 1958) — with Bruch Violin Concerto no.1 // RQ: 3.5
• Jasha Heifetz, Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, Thomas Beecham (Seraphim -- historic mono, recorded 1949) — with Mozart Violin Concerto no.4 // RQ: 2
- Symphony no.3 “Scotch”
• Philarmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer (EMI) - with Hebrides Overture // RQ: 4
OLIVIER MESSIAEN (1908-1992)
- L’Ascension, for organ
• Olivier Messiaen (EMI Ducretet Thomson) - with Le Banquet Céleste
- Quatuor pour la fin des temps, for clarinet, violin, cello and piano
• Olivier Messiaen, Jean Pasquier, Etienne Pasquier, André Vacellier (Musidisc)
Probably the most known and accessible work by Messiaen.
- Cinq Rechants, for 12 voices
• Les Solistes des Choeurs de l’O.R.T.F., Marcel Couraud (Erato) — with Xenakis Nuits, Penderecki Stabat Mater
- Et Expecto Resurrectionem Mortuorum, for instrumental ensemble
• Loriod, Groupe Instrumental a Percussions de Strasbourg, Orchestre du Domaine Musical, Pierre Boulez (Erato) — with Couleurs de la Cité Céleste // RQ: 4.5
• ORF-Symphonieorchester Wien, Bruno Maderna (Telefunken) — with Stravinsky Canticum Sacrum, Boulez Cummings is der Dichter, Lutoslawski Trois Poèmes d’Henri Michaux
- Chronochromie
• BBC Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez (Argo) — with Boulez Le Soleil des Eaux, Keochlin Les Bandar-Log
- La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jesus Christ, for seven instrumental soloists, choir and orchestra
• Loriod, Starker, Mann, Kitt, Ames, Kane, Barnett, Sylvester, Aquino, Westminster Symphonic Choir, National Symphony Orchestra Washington DC, Antal Dorati (Decca Headline, 1974) // RQ: 5
DARIUS MILHAUD (1892-1974)
- La Création du Monde
• Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch (RCA) — with Suite Provençale // RQ: 4
CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI (1567-1643)
- Lettera Amorosa - Lamentio d’Ariana - Orfeo - Poppea
• Berberian, Esswood, Minetto, , Rogers, Satoh, Concentus Musicus Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Telefunken) // RQ: 4
- Vespro della Beata Vergine
• Gomez, Palmer, Bowman, Tear, Langridge, Shirley-Quirk, Rippon, The Monteverdi Choir, The Monteverdi Orchestra, the Salisbury Cathedral boys' Choir, The Philips Jones Brass Ensemble, The David Munrow Recorder Consort, John Eliot Gardiner (Decca, 1974)
- L’Orfeo, opera
• Kozma, Hansmann, Katanosaka, Berberian, Theurig, Rogers, Capella Antiqua, München, Concentus Musicus Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Telefunken, recorded 1968) // RQ: 4
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756-1791)
- Complete Sonatas, for piano
• Christoph Eschenbach (DGG, 1967-71) // RQ: 3-4
- Sonata in A Major, K331
• Alfred Brendel (Philips) — with Sonata in Bb, K333, Adagion in b minor, K540 // RQ: 4.5
- Sonata in Bb Major, K333
• Alfred Brendel (Philips) — with Sonata in A Major, K331, Adagion in b minor, K540 // RQ: 4.5
- Quartet for oboe and strings KV 370
• Michel Piguet, Quartetto Esterházy (Telefunken) — with Quintet for horn and strings K 407
• Lothar Koch, Amadeus Quartet (DGG) — with Quintet for clarinet and strings
- String quintets
• Amadeus Quartet, Cecil Aronowitz, 2nd viola (DGG)
- Quintet for clarinet and strings KV 581
• Gervase de Peyer, Amadeus Quartet (DGG) — with Quartet for oboe and strings
- Concerto for clarinet and orchestra in A Major KV 622
• Jack Brymer, The Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, Thomas Beecham (EMI) — with Concerto for bassoon and orchestra
- Concertos for violin and orchestra KV 207 and KV 211
• Jaap Schröder, baroque violin, Mozart-Ensemble Amsterdam, Franz Brüggen (ABC Classics) — with Concertante Movements for violin and orchestra
- Concerto for piano and orchestra no.19 in F Major KV 459
• Maurizio Pollini, Wiener Philarmoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.23
- Concerto for piano and orchestra no.20 in d minor KV 466
• Friedrich Gulda, Wiener Philarmoniker, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.21
• Rudolf Serkin, London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.12
• Alfred Brendel, Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Neville Marriner (Philips) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.23
- Concerto for piano and orchestra no.21 in C Major KV 467
• Friedrich Gulda, Wiener Philarmoniker, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.20
• Dinu Lipatti, Lucern Festival Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan (EMI) — with Sonata for piano K 310
- Concerto for piano and orchestra no.23 in A Major KV 488
• Friedrich Gulda, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam, Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Teldec) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.26
• Maurizio Pollini, Wiener Philarmoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.19
• Alfred Brendel, Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Neville Marriner (Philips) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.20
- Concerto for piano and orchestra no.24 in c minor KV 491
• Friedrich Gulda, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam, Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Teldec) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.26
- Concerto for piano and orchestra no.25 in C Major KV 503
• Friedrich Gulda, Wiener Philarmoniker, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.27
- Concerto for piano and orchestra no.26 in D Major KV 537
• Friedrich Gulda, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam, Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Teldec) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.23
- Concerto for piano and orchestra no.27 in Bb Major KV 595
• Friedrich Gulda, Wiener Philarmoniker, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Concerto for piano and orchestra no.25
- Concerto for piano and orchestra no.21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27
• Robert Casadesus, Cleveland Orchestra, Columbia Symphony Orchestra, George Szell (Columbia, 1974; recorded 1959-62) // RQ: 3
- Concerto for piano and orchestra no.21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
• Daniel Barenboim, English Chamber Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim (Angel) // RQ: 3
- Sinfonia Concertante KV 364, for violin, viola and orchestra
• Igor Oistrakh, David Oistrakh, Moscow Philarmonic, Kyril Kondrashin (London -- mono or stereo / Speakers Corner) — with Duo in G K.423 // RQ: 4 (stereo)
• Arthur Grumiaux, Arrigo Pelliccia, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis (Philips) — with Concerto for violin and orchestra no.2
• Gidon Kremer, Kim Kashkashian, Wiener Philarmoniker, Nikolaus Harnoncourt (DGG digital) — with Concerto for violin and orchestra no.1
• Yehudi Menuhin, Rudolf Barshai, Bath Festival Orchestra, Yehudi Menuhin (Angel) — with Haydn Concerto for violin and orchestra in C Major
- Symphony no.40, in g minor, KV 550
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (RCA Victor -- mono) — with Haydn Symphony in D Major // RQ: 4 (very good mono)
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG) — with Symphony No.41 “Jupiter” // RQ: 4
- Symphony no.41, in C Major “Jupiter,” KV 551
• New Philarmonia Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giulini (Decca) — with Symphony No.40 // RQ: 4 • Wiener Philarmoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG) — with Symphony No.40 // RQ: 4
- Don Giovanni, opera
• Wächter, Sutherland, Scwarzkopf, Sciutti, Alva, Frick, Taddei, Cappuccilli, Philarmonia Orchestra and Choir, Carlo-Maria Guilini (EMI)
- Cosi fan tutte, opera
• Schwarzkopf, Merriman, Simoneau, Bruscantini, Panerai, Otto, Philarmonia Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan (Angel -- historic mono)
- Die Zauberflöte, opera
• Wunderlich, Fischer-Dieksau, Crass, Peters, Lear, Otto, Rias Kammerchor, Berliner Philarmoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG)
MUSIQUE DE LA GRECE ANTIQUE
• Atrium Musicae de Madrid, Gregorio Paniagua (Harmonia Mundi) // RQ: 5
A classic of recording excellence; nobody really knows what Greek music sounded like, so that will do for now.
MODEST MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881)
- Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition; original piano version
• Sviatoslav Richter (Columbia Odyssey, 1973; mono recording of a live performance given in 1958) — with Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition, orchestral version (Szell, Cleveland Orchestra)
- Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition; version for orchestra
• The Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell (Columbia Odyssey, 1973) — with Pictures at an Exhibition, piano version (Richter) // RQ: 4
• The Philadelphia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (EMI 1979; Original Master Recording Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab) — with Stravinsky The Firebird, Suite (1919) // RQ: 5
• The Philadelphia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (Angel, 45 rpm Angel Sonic Series, 1979) // RQ: 4.5
The Angel Sonic Series is a bit harsher than the MFSL or the new Hi-Q release.
- St. John’s Night on the Bare Mountain--original version of Night on the Bare Mountain
• London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (RCA, 1980) - with Khovanschina (Prelude and Act IV, Introduction), Joshua, Salammbô, Scherzo in B flat, The Destruction of Sennacherib, Oedipus in Athens, Triumphal March // RQ: 4
This is the original version of St John’s Night on the Bare Mountain, in Mussorgsky orchestration. An interesting record with little-known music by the composer.
- Boris Godunov, opera
• Ghiaurov, Vishnevskaya, Spiess, Maslennjkov, Talvela, Wiener Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (London)
LUIGI NONO (1924-1990)
- ...sofferte onde serene, for piano
• Maurizio Pollini (DGG, 1979) — with a floresta è jovem cheja de vida
- Guai ai Gelidi Mostri, for two alto voices, flute, tuba, viola, cello, contrabass
• Elisabeth Laurence, Susanne Otto, Roberto Fabricciani, Ciro Scarphoni, Giancarlo Schiaffini, Charlotte Geselbracht, Christine Theus, Stefano Scodanibbio (Edition RZ, 1990) — with A Pierre Dell’Azzurro Silenzio, Inquietum; A Carlo Scarpa, Architetto, ai Suoi Infinit Possibili // RQ: 4
- A Carlo Scarpa, Architetto, ai Suoi Infinit Possibili, for orchestra
• Sinfonieorchester des Südwestfunks, Michael Gielen (Edition RZ, 1990) — with A Pierre Dell’Azzurro Silenzio, Inquietum, Guai ai Gelidi Mostri // RQ: 4
- Como una ola de fuerza y luz, for soprano, piano orchestra and tape
• Slavka Taskova, Maurizio Pollini, Symphonie-Orchester Bayerischen Rundfunks, Claudio Abbado (DGG, 1974) — with Y entonces comprendió
A very good introduction to the Italian composer's music.
JACOB OBRECHT (1457-1505)
- Missa Super “Maria Zart”
• Prague Madrigal Singers, Miroslav Venhoda (Supraphon)
JOANNES OCKEGHEM (1410?-1497)
- Requiem
• Vandersteene, Antoniak, Parsons, Liendo, Clemencic Consort, René Clemencic (Harmonia Mundi)
MAURICE OHANA (1913-1992)
- 24 Préludes, for piano
• Jean-Claude Pennetier (Arion, 1974)
- Concerto: Tres Gráficos para Guitarra y Orchestra, for guitar and orchestra
• Narciso Yepes, London Symphony Orchestra, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (DGG, 1975) — with Ruiz-Pipó Tablas para Guitarra y Orchestra
- Trois Contes de l’Honorable Fleur, for soprano and ensemble
• Michiko Hirayama, Debost, Maisonneuve, Di Donato, Larroque, Thibaud, Toulon, Boufil, Gottlieb, Forestier, Daniel Chabrun (Philips, 1979)
GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DE PALESTRINA (1526-1594)
- Missa Benedicta es
• The Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips (Gimell Records) — with Josquin des Prez Motet: Benedicta es
SERGEI PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
- Sonata for piano no.7
• Sviatoslav Richter (Melodya, 1977) — with Sonata for piano no.9
- Concertos for violin and orchestra, no.1 and 2
• Shlomo Mintz, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG, 1984) // RQ: 4
• Isaac Stern, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy (Columbia - mono)
• Pierre Amoyal, Orchestre Philarmonique de Strasbourg, Alain Lombard (Erato)
- Concerto for piano and orchestra, no.3
• Martha Argerich, Berliner Philarmoniker, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Ravel Concerto for piano and orchestre in G // RQ: 4
- Concerto for piano and orchestra, no.5
• Sviatoslav Richter, London Symphony Orchestra, Lorin Maazel (EMI) — with Bartók Piano Concerto no.2
GIACOMO PUCCINI (1858-1924)
- La Bohème, opera
• Pavarotti, Freni, Harwood, Panerai, Berlin Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (London)
- Tosca, opera
• Callas, Di Stefano, Gobbi, La Scala Orchestra and Chorus, Victor de Sabata (Angel -- historic) // RQ: 2
Extraordinary interpretation; far from audiophile grade, but who cares...
• Price, Di Stefano, Taddei, Corena, Wiener Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (London -- stereo; RCA Victor Soria-- mono; there is also a stereo version of this RCA) // RQ: 4 (London stereo version) // RQ: 3 (mono version)
The stereo version is far superior (the mono version has a much restricted frequency range); in spite of its generally excellent recording quality, it is graded 4 because of some poor edits.
HENRY PURCELL (1659-1695)
- Songs
• Music for a While: Alfred Deller, Wieland Kuijken, William Christie, Roderick Skeaping (Harmonia Mundi, recorded 1979) • Andrew Dalton, Anneke Uttenbosch, Freek Borstlap (Etcetera, digital, 1984)
- Musique de Scène, Airs d'Opéras, Odes et Chants Sacrés
• Deller Consort, Alfred Deller (Harmonia Mundi)
- Three Elegies, Music for Strings
• Hill, Keyte,The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood (Editions de L’Oiseau Lyre, 1977)
- Theatre Music Vol. II: Bonduca; Sir Anthony Love; Circe
• Nelson, Lane, Lloyd, Bowman, Hill, Eliott, Byers, Bamber, Keyte, The Taverner Choir (Parrott), The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood (Editions de L’Oiseau Lyre, 197)
- Theatre Music Vol. V: The Double Dealer; The Richmond Heiress; The Rival Sisters; Henry the Second; Tyrannic Love
• Nelson, Kirkby, Hill, Thomas, The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood (Editions de L’Oiseau Lyre, 1981)
- Dido and Aeneas, opera
• Flagstad, Hemsley, Schwarzkopf, Mandikan, Rex,The Mermaid Singers and Orchestra, Geraint Jones (EMI -- historic 1952, recorded 1951)
• De Los Angeles, Glossop, Harper, Johnson, Robson, Tear, The Ambrosian Singers, The English Chamber Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli (EMI)
JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU (1683-1764)
- Pièces de clavecin en concerts
• Frans Brüggen, Sigiswald Kuijken, Wieland Kuijken, Gustav Leonhardt (Telefunken)
- Une Symphonie Imaginaire
• Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski (Archiv) // RQ: 5
MAURICE RAVEL (1875-1937)
- Works for piano
• The complete music for piano solo: Samson François (EMI)
• Maurice Ravel, piano (Everest -- very historic! mono 1920s): Selections from: Pavane pour une Infante Defunte, Miroirs, Le Tombeau de Couperin, Gaspard de la Nuit // RQ: 1
- Gaspard de la Nuit, for piano
• Martha Argerich (DGG) - with Sonatine, Valses Nobles et Sentimentales
• Minoru Nojima (Reference Recordings, rec.1989) - with Miroirs // RQ: 5
- Miroirs, for piano
• Minoru Nojima (Reference Recordings, rec.1989) - with Gaspard de la Nuit // RQ: 5
- Songs
• Shéhéraze, Trois Poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé, Chansons Madécasses, Don Quichotte à Dulcinée, Cinq Mélodies Populaires Grecques: Norman, Harper, Gomez, Van Dam, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez (CBS)
- Tzigane, for violin and orchestra
• Arthur Grumiaux, Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux,Manuel Rosenthal (Philips) — with Lalo Symphonie Espagnole, Berlioz Rêverie et Caprice, Saint-Saëns Havanaise and Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Chausson Poème pour violon et orchestre
- Concerto for piano and orchestra, in G Major
• Martha Argerich, Berliner Philarmoniker, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Prokofiev Piano concerto no. 3 // RQ: 4
• Pascal Rogé, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Charles Dutoit (London) — with Piano concerto for the left hand, Menuet Antique, Une barque sur l’océan, Fanfare from l’Eventail de Jeanne
• Nicole Henriot Schweitzer, Boston Symphony, Charles Munch (RCA -- mono, 1959) — with D’Indy Symphonie sur un Air Montagnard Français // RQ: 3
- Alborada del Graciozo, for orchestra
• Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Armin Jordan (Erato, digital, 1986) — with Boléro, La Valse, Ma Mère l’Oye // RQ: 4
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner (RCA; reissue Classic Records) — with Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, Debussy Ibéria // RQ: 5
- Daphnis et Chloe, for orchestra
• complete: Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch (RCA) // RQ: 4.5
- Rhapsodie Espagnole, for orchestra
• Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch (RCA)
• Orchestre de Paris, Charles Munch (Musical Heritage Society; originally?)
- La Valse, for orchestra
• London Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux (Philips) — with Mother Goose Suite, Boléro
• New York Philarmonic, Leonard Bernstein (CBS) — with Rapsodie Espagnole, Mother Goose Suite
- L’Heure Espagnole, Comédie Musicale en un acte, for voices and orchestra
• Berbié, Senechal, Giraudeau, Bacquier, Van Dam, Orchestre National de la R.T.F., Paris, Lorin Maazel (DGG - mono or stereo) // RQ: 3
- L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, Fantaisie Lyrique en deux parties, for voices and orchestra
• Wend, de Montmolin, Touraine, Migliette, Danco, Bise, Bobillier, Cuenod, Mollet, Lovano, The Motet Choir of Geneva, l’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Ernest Ansermet (Decca)
• Ogéas, Collard, Berbié, Gilma, Herzog, Rehfuss, Maurane, Sénéchal, Choeurs et Maitrise de la R.T.F., Orchestra National de la R.T.F, Paris, Lorin Maazel (DGG)
NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908)
- Scheherazade
• Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, Thomas Beecham (EMI Testament) // RQ: 4
ROBIN ET MARION
• Early Music Quartet (Telefunken)
ARNOLD SCHOENBERG (1874-1951)
- Works for piano
• Maurizio Pollini (DGG)
- String quartet in d minor op.7
• LaSalle Quartet (DGG, 1971; recorded March 1968) — with Webern Op.5, 9, 28; Berg Op.3, Lyric Suite
- Kammersymphonie, op.9, for instrumental ensemble
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Giuseppe Sinopoli (DGG) — with Manzoni “Masse: Hommage à Edgar Varèse” // RQ: 4
• Los Angeles Philarmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta (London) — with Variations op.31 // RQ: 4.5
- Pierrot Lunaire, op.21, for voice and instrumental ensemble
• Erika Stiedry-Wagner, Kolisch, Auber, Steuermann, Posella, Bloch, Arnold Schoenberg, conductor (CBS -- very historic recording! mono,1942) // RQ: 1
- Five Pieces for Orchestra, op.16
• BBC Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez (CBS) - with Variations for orchestra op.31 , A Survivor from Warsaw, op.46, Accompaniment To A Cinematographic Scene, op.34
- Variations for orchestra, op.31
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti (London) — with Elgar Enigma Variations
• Los Angeles Philarmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta (London) — with Kammersymphonie, op.9 // RQ: 4.5
• BBC Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez (CBS) — with Five Pieces for Orchestra op.16 , A Survivor from Warsaw, op.46, Accompaniment To A Cinematographic Scene, op.34
- Erwartung, op.17, for voice and orchestra
• Helga Pilarczyk, Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, Hermann Scherchen (Wergo)
• Anja Silja, Wiener Philarmoniker, Christoph von Dohnányi (London)
- Gurrelieder, for voices and orchestra
• Thomas, Napier, Minton, Bowen, Nimsgern, Reich, BBC Symphony and Choruses, Pierre Boulez (CBS) // RQ: 4.5
A wonderfully spacious recording; not a 5 because the dynamic range isn’t quite up there with the best.
- Moses und Aaron, opera
• Mazura, Langridge, Haugland, Booney, Zakai, Harper, Dymit, Chicago Symphony Chorus, Members of the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti (London, digital, 1984)
FRANZ SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
- Sonatas for piano
^ Sonata in A Major, D.664 (op.120)
• Sviatoslav Richter (Angel, 1963) — with Wanderer Fantasie
- Sonata in A Major, D.850
• Artur Schnabel (EMI) — with Sonata D.959, Sonata D.960
- Sonata in C minor, D.958
• Sviatoslav Richter (Melodyia, 1972) — with Impromptu in A flat
- Sonata in A Major, D.959
• Artur Schnabel (EMI) — with Sonata D.850, Sonata D.960
• Rudolf Serkin (CBS)
- Sonata in A Major, D.960
• Artur Schnabel (EMI) — with Sonata D.959, Sonata D.959
- Wanderer Fantasie, for piano
• Sviatoslav Richter (EMI, 1963) — with Sonata in A Major, D.664
- Song cycles
^ Winterreise:
• Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gerald Moore, piano (EMI -- mono) // RQ: 3
• Peter Pears, Benjamin Britten, piano (London) — with Schumann Dichterliebe • Peter Schreier, Sviatoslav Richter, piano (VEB Deutsche Schallplatten Berlin DDR -- recorded live at the Semperoper, Dresden, February 1985) // RQ: 4
- An die Musik:
• Elly Ameling, Dalton Baldwin, piano (London) — with other Songs
- Trio No.1 in B flat for violin, cello and piano, op.99, D.898
• Jacques Thibaud, Pablo Casals, Alfred Cortot (His Master’s Voice -- historic) — with Haydn Trio in G Major op.73 no.2
• The Stern/Rose/Istomin Trio (CBS)
.
- Trio No.2 in E flat for violin, cello and piano, op.100, D.929
• Regis Pasquier, Roland Pidoux, Jean-Claude Pennetier (Harmonia Mundi)
- String quartets
• Amadeus Quartet (DGG)
• Melos Quartet (DGG)
- String quintet D.956
• Amadeus Quartet, William Pleeth, 2nd cello (DGG) // RQ: 3
- Octet, D.803
• Wiener Kammerensemble (DGG)
- Symphony no.1
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG) — with Symphony no.2
- Symphony no.2
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG) — with Symphony no.1
- Symphony no.3
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Carlos Kleiber (DGG) — with Symphony no.8 “Unfinished”
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG) — with Symphony no.4
- Symphony no.4
• Concertgebouw Orchestra, Eduard Van Beinum (Decca, 1962 - mono) — with Symphony no.5
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG) — with Symphony no.3
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Istvan Kertesz (London) — with Symphony no.5
- Symphony no.5
• Concertgebouw Orchestra, Eduard Van Beinum (Decca, 1962 - mono) — with Symphony no.4
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Istvan Kertesz (London) — with Symphony no.4
• Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Rudolf Barshai (Melodia-Westminster Gold) — with Five Minuets & Six Trios
- Symphony no.6
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Karl Böhm (DGG) — with Musik zu “Rosamunde”
- Symphony no.8
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Carlos Kleiber (DGG) — with Symphony no.3
• New York Philarmonic, Bruno Walter (CBS) — with Symphony no.5
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Carlo Maria Guilini (DGG) — with Symphony no.4
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Istvan Kertesz (London) — with Overtures: Des Teufes Lustschloss, In the Italian Style, Fierrabras
ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
- Bunte Blätter op.99, for piano
• Sviatoslav Richter (Melodyia, recorded 1971) — with Brahms Two Intermezzi, g minor Ballade
- Carnaval op.9, for piano
• Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (DGG) — with Faschingsschwank aus Wien op.26
- Fantasie in C Major, op.17, for piano
• Sviatoslav Richter (Angel, recorded 1961) — with Beethoven Sonata op.31 no.2 “Tempest” // RQ: 3
• Martha Argerich (DGG) — with Fantasiestücke op.12
• Maurizio Pollini (DGG) — with Sonata no.1 in f# minor op.11
- Fantasiestücke op.12, for piano
• Sviatoslav Richter (Heliodor, recorded 1956) — with March in g minor op.76, Waldszenen, op.82 // RQ: 3 • Martha Argerich (Columbia, 1978) — with Fantasy in C op.17
- Faschingsschwank aus Wien op.26
• Sviatoslav Richter (His Master’s Voice, recorded 1962) — with Sonata no.2 in g minor, Papillons op.2
- Humoresque op.20, for piano
• Sviatoslav Richter (Melodyia, recorded 1956) — with Franck Prélude, Chorale et Fugue
- Kreisleriana op.16, for piano
• Vladimir Horowitz (CBS) — with Variations on a Theme by Clara Wieck
- Novelettes op.21, for piano
• no.2, 4, 8: Sviatoslav Richter (Melodyia, recorded live, 1979) — with Chopin Préludes no.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 19, 21, 23
- Papillons op.2, for piano
• Sviatoslav Richter (His Master’s Voice, recorded 1962) — with Sonata no.2 in g minor, Faschingsschwank aus Wien op.26
- Sonata no.1 in f# minor, op.11, for piano
• Maurizio Pollini (DGG, 1973) — with Fantasie in C Major, op.17
- Sonata no.2 in g minor, op.22, for piano
• Sviatoslav Richter (His Master’s Voice, recorded 1962) — with Papillons, Faschingsschwank aus Wien op.26
- Symphonische Etüde op.13, for piano
• Sviatoslav Richter (Melodyia, recorded 1971) — with Beethoven Sonata op.90
• Ivo Pogorelich (DGG) — with Toccata op.7, Beethoven Sonata No.32 in c minor op.111
- Toccata op.7, for piano
• Sviastoslav Richter, (DGG, recorded 1959) — with Piano Concerto, Introduction und Allegro appassionato, Novellette F Major
- Frauenliebe und Leben
• Lotte Lehmann, Bruno Walter, piano (Columbia Odyssey -- historic) — with Dichterliebe
- Dichterliebe
• Lotte Lehmann, Bruno Walter, piano (Columbia Odyssey -- historic) — with Frauenliebe und Leben
• Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Christoph Eschenbach, piano (DGG) — with Liederkreis
• Peter Pears, Benjamin Britten, piano (London) — with Schubert Winterreise
- Concerto for cello and orchestra in a minor, op.129
• Jacqueline Du Pré, New Philarmonia Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim (EMI, 1969) — with Saint-Saëns Concerto for cello and orchestra no.3
- Concerto for piano and orchestra in a minor, op.54
• Sviastoslav Richter, Sinfonie-Orchester der Nationalen Philharmonie Warschau, Witold Rowicki (DGG, recorded 1958) - with Introduction und Allegro appassionato, Novellette F Major, Toccata C Major
• Sergio Fiorentino, Hamburg Pro Musica, Erich Riede (Sage) - with Carnaval op.9 // RQ: 3
• Krystian Zimerman, Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG) — with Grieg Concerto for piano and orchestra
• Solomon, The Philarmonia Orchestra, Herbert Menges (EMI, Quintessence, 1978; recorded 1956) — with Grieg Concerto for piano and orchestra
- Symphony no.3
• Philarmonia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (Angel) — with Overture to Schiller’s “The Bride of Messina,” op.100 // RQ: 4
- Symphonies no.1-2-3-4
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG)
ALEXANDER SCRIABIN (1872-1915)
- Vers la Flamme, for piano
• Vladimir Horowitz (Columbia, 1973) — Sonata no.10, Feuillet d’Album, Etudes, Two Poems
• Vladimir Sofronitsky (MK, Artia Records -- historic) — with Sonata no.3, Sonata no.9, Flammes Sombres, Guirlandes,
- Sonata for Piano no.9
• Vladimir Horowitz (RCA) — with Preludes, Etudes, Barber Sonata for piano op.26, Prokofiev Sonata no.7
• Vladimir Sofronitzky (MK, Artia Records -- historic) — with Sonata no.3, Flammes Sombres, Guirlandes, Vers la Flamme
- Sonata for Piano no.10
• Vladimir Horowitz (Columbia, 1973) — with Feuillet d’Album, Vers la Flamme, Etudes, Two Poems
- Poem of Ecstasy
• Boston Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG) — with Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet
- Symphonies no.1-2-3
• Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt, Eliahu Inbal (Philips) — with Poem of Ecstasy, Prométhée-Le Poème du Feu
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
- 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op.87, for piano
• No.4, 12, 14, 15, 17, 23: Sviatoslav Richter (Philips, recorded 1963) // RQ: 4
• Complete: Roger Woodward (RCA, 1975) // RQ: 4
- Symphony no.5, op.74
• Leningrad Philarmonic Orchestra, Yevgeny Mravinsky (Melodya, live recording, recorded 1984)
• The Stadium Symphony Orchestra of New York, Leopold Stokowki (Everest, 1958) // RQ: 2
• Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, Pavel Kogan (Classic Records) // RQ: 4
- Symphony no.10, op.93
• Leningrad Philarmonic Orchestra, Yevgeny Mravinsky (Melodya, live recording, recorded 1976)
- Symphony no.14
• Galiena Vichnievskaia, Marc Rechetine, Orchestre Philarmonique de Moscou, Mstislav Rostropovich (Le Chant du Monde)
- Symphony no.15, op.141
• Leningrad Philarmonic Orchestra, Yevgeny Mravinsky (Melodya, recorded 1965)
- The Nose, opera
• Soloists, chorus and instrumental ensemble from the Moscow Chamber Musical Theater, Guennadi Rojdestvenski (Melodya)
JEAN SIBELIUS (1885-1957)
- Songs, for voice and orchestra
• Kirsten Flagstad, London Symphony Orchestra, Øivin Fjeldstad (Decca Eclipse, 1958)
- Concerto for violin and orchestra
• Jasha Heifetz, Chicago Symphony, Walter Hendl (RCA, 1959)
• David Oistrakh, Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy (CBS) // RQ: 4
- Finlandia
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG) - with Tapiola, Valse Triste, Der Schwan von Tuonela // RQ: 4.5
• Hallé Orchestra, John Barbirolli (EMI, 1966) — with Karelia-Suite, Pohjolas Tochter, Valse Triste, Lemminkaïnen zieht heimwärts // RQ: 4
- Tapiola
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG) - with Finlandia, Valse Triste, Der Schwan von Tuonela // RQ: 4
- Symphony no.4
• Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Paavo Berglund (Decca)
- Symphony no.5
• Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy (CBS)
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG) - with Tapiola
Can also be found on Angel, coupled with En Saga
- Symphony no.6
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG)
- Symphony no.7
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG)
• Berliner Philarmoniker, Yevgeny Mravinsky (Melodya - live recording, 1965) — with Bartók Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta // RQ: 3
Can also be found on Melodya coupled with The Swan of Tuonela, Shostakovich Symphony no. 6
KAIKHOSRU SORABJI (1892-1988)
- Le Jardin Parfumé
• Michael Habermann (Musical Heritage Society)
- Opus Clavicembalisticum
• Geoffrey Madge (Keytone Records)
KARLHEINZ STOCKHAUSEN (1928-2007)
- Klavierstücke I-XI, for piano
• Herbert Henck (Wergo digital, 1986)
- Mantra, for two pianos and electronics
• Yvar Mikhashoff, Rosalind Bevan, Ole Ørsted (Doxy Music, 2011, 45 rpm) // RQ: 5
- Kontakte, for electronic sounds, piano and percussion
• David Tudor, Christoph Caskel, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Gottfried Michael Koenig (Wergo, 1960; reissue Doxy, 2011)
- Electronic Music: Gesang der Jünglinge
• (DGG) - with Kontakte for tape
• (reissue Doxy, 2011) - with Zyklus
- Hymnen, for electronic and concrete sounds
• (DGG)
- Stimmung, for 6 voices
• Collegium Vocale Köln Ensemble an der Rheinischen Musikhochschule: Apel, Rodens Albrecht, Fromme, Steinhoff, Billig (DGG, recorded 1969)
- Kontrapunkte, for ensemble
• e Solisti dell’Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma, Bruno Maderna (RCA) - with Penderecki Trenodia per le vittime di Hiroshima, Nono Y su sangre ya viene cantando, Pousseur Rimes pour différentes sources sonores
• The London Sinfonietta, Karlheinz Stockhausen (DGG, 1974) - with Kreuzspiel, Zeitmasse, Adieu
- Ensemble, for instruments and tape
• Dneska, Kontarsky, Bojé, Jenks, Johnson, Kotik (Wergo; realization Mesias Maiguashca, 1971, from performance in August 1967 at the Darmstadt Summer Course) // RQ: 4
- Momente, for soprano, 4 choral groups and 13 instrumentalists
• Martina Arroyo, Aloys Kontarsky, Alfons Kontarsky, Chorus and Members of the Symphony Orchestra of Radio Cologne, Karlheinz Stockhausen (Wergo - Nonesuch, mono or stereo)
- Sirius, Electronic music and trumpet, soprano, bass clarinet and bass
• Annette Meriweather, Markus Stockhausen, Suzanne Stephens, Boris Carmeli, Karlheinz Stockhausen (DGG, 1980)
- Gruppen, for 3 orchestras
• Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie Orchester, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Bruno Maderna, Michael Gielen (DGG, 1968) — with Carré
- Inori, for orchestra
• Sinfonie-Orchester des Südwestfunks Baden-Baden, Karlheinz Stockhausen (DGG, 1979) — with Formel // RQ: 5
- Trans, for orchestra
• Sinfonie-Orchester des Südwestfunks, Ernest Bour (DGG, 1976)
JOHANN STRAUSS II, Jr (1825-1899); JOSEF STRAUSS (1827-1870)
- Waltzes, Polka: Vienna Blood op.354, Artist’s Life op.316, Roses from the South op.388, Treasure Waltz op.418, My Life is Love and Laughter, Thunder and Lighting Polka
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner (RCA Victor-Living Stereo / Classic Records) // RQ: 4.5
RICHARD STRAUSS (1864-1949)
- Vier Letzte Lieder, for voice and orchestra
• Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, George Szell (EMI, 1966)
- Salome, opera
• Nilsson, Wächter, Stolze, Hoffman, Wien Philarmoniker, Georg Solti (London)
- Elektra, opera
• Nilsson, Reznik, Collier, Krause, Stolze, Wien Philarmoniker, Georg Solti (London)
IGOR STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)
- Petrushka, for piano
• Maurizio Pollini (DGG) - with Prokofiev Sonata no.7
- L’Histoire du Soldat, for voice and instrumental ensemble
• Complete version: François Simon, Gerthet, Carrat, Chumachenco, Ensemble Instrumental, Charles Dutoit (Erato)
• Concert Suite: Schwalbe, Hoogstoal, Longinotti, Fryba, Helaert, Aubapan, Peschier, Ernest Ansermet (London, recorded 1961)
- Petrushka, for orchestra
• Philadelphia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (Angel Digital, 1982; recorded February 1981) // RQ: 4.5
- The Firebird, Suite, for orchestra
• The Philadelphia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (EMI 1979; Original Master Recording Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab) — with Mussorgsky-Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition // RQ: 4.5 (it does have a slight tendency to harshness so typical of Angel productions)
- The Firebird, complete ballet, for orchestra
• New Philarmonia Orchestra, Ernest Ansermet (Decca) // RQ: 4.5
The original, 2-discs version included a recording of Ansermet in rehearsal (in English); priceless.
• London Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati (Mercury Living Presence, 1960; Speakers Corner reissue) // RQ: 4.5
A competent interpration, except in the passages where some sections of the orchestra are not playing together... Note: the more recent release of this Dorati version, in a box with the other two ballets of that period (The Rite of Spring, Petrushka, by Speakers Corner) is to be avoided: the dynamic range was vastly reduced and since that was one of the main attractions of the earlier version...
- The Rite of Spring, for orchestra
The Rite benefits from a very large selection of recordings on vinyl. Among the best:
• Philadelphia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (EMI, 1979; recorded October 1978, Original Master Recording Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab) // RQ: 4.5
Great interpretation, excellent sound, except for some harshness in the top register (trumpets in particular--for some reason the first side is harsher than the second one…). The regular EMI version is also very good, but not quite as dynamic as the Mobile Fidelity; the Angel version is not nearly as dynamic, and more strident.
• Paris Conservatory Orchestra, Pierre Monteux (London, 1956) // RQ: 3
Monteux conducted the premiere in Paris in 1913, which engendered one of the most famous musical scandals of the 20th century
• New York Philarmonic, Leonard Bernstein (CBS) // RQ: 4
• London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG) // RQ: 4
• New York Philarmonic, Leonard Bernstein (CBS, 1958)
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti (London) // RQ: 4
Solti’s version is a bit brutal at times and doesn’t do justice to the more delicate and refined moments of this work, but the energy is contagious.
- Pulcinella, Ballet in one act for three solo voices and orchestra, based on music by Pergolesi
• Berganza, Davies, Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (DGG, 1979) // RQ: 4
- Les Noces, Scènes chorégraphiques russes avec chant et musique
• Anny Mory, Patricia Parker, John Mitchison, Paul Hudson, Martha Argerich, Krystian Zimerman, Cyprien Katsaris, Homero Francesch, English Bach Festival Chorus, English Bach Festival Percussion Ensemble, Leonard Bernstein (DGG) — with Mass
- Symphony of Psalms, for voices and orchestra
• Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale, RIAS-Kammerchor/RIAS-Kinderchor, RIAS-Symphonie Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay (DGG -- historic mono) — with Kodály Psalmus hungaricus // RQ: 1
• Ensemble de Garçons du Choeur Académique Russe de l’U.R.S.S., Orchestre Symphonique de la Philharmonie d’État de Moscou, Igor Markevitch (Philips) — with Le Chant du Rossignol
• Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin und Chor, Riccardo Chailly (London Digital) — with Feu d’artifice op.4, Le Roi des Étoiles, Le Chant du Rossignol
THOMAS TALLIS (1505-1585)
- Choral Works
• King’s College of Cambridge, David Willcocks (Decca): In manus tuas, In jejunio et fletu, Spem in alium, Te lucis ante terminum, Jeremy’s Lamentations, etc
PYOTR ILLYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
- Concerto for violin and orchestra
• Michael Rabin, Philarmonia Orchestra, Alceo Galliera (Columbia, 195 - mono) — with Saint-Saëns Introduction et Rondo Cappriccioso // RQ: 3
- Concerto for piano and orchestra, no.1
• Sviatoslav Richter, Leningrad Philarmonic Orchestra, Yevgeny Mravinsky (MK, 1959 - historic mono, recorded 1958) // RQ: 2
- Three Concertos for piano and orchestra
• Emil Guilels, New Philarmonia Orchestra, Lorin Maazel (EMI, 1974)
- Symphony no.2
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado (CBS digital, 1985) — with The Tempest // RQ: 4
- Symphonies no.4-5-6
• Leningrad Philarmonic Orchestra, Yevgeny Mravinsky (DGG, 1961 for the stereo version) // RQ: 4.5
Nobody equals Mravinsky in this repertoire: he respects every indication in the score, and the precision of his orchestra is absolutely amazing. His interpretations tend to be more on the classical side than the typical “romantic” approach, which is so much more appropriate in this repertoire.
- Eugen Onegin
• Kubiak, Weikl, Burrows, Ghiaurov, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Georg Solti (London, 1975) // RQ: 4.5
GEORG PHILIPP TELEMANN (1681-1767)
- The Twelve Fantasias, for transverse flute without bass
• Barthold Kuijken (Accent, 1978) // RQ: 4
- Die Ouvertüren der Tafelmusik
• Jaap Schröder, Gustav Leonhardt, Concerto Amsterdam, Frans Brüggen (Telefunken) — with Saint-Saëns Introduction et Rondo Cappriccioso // RQ: 3
TROUBADOURS (11th-14th centuries)
• Pilar Figueras, Clemencic Consort, René Clemencic (Harmonia Mundi)
EDGAR VARESE (1883-1965)
- Arcana, for orchestra
• Los Angeles Philarmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta (London, 1972) — with Intégrales, Ionisation // RQ: 5
- The Varèse Album
• The Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Robert Craft (CBS)
GUISEPPE VERDI (1813-1901)
- Requiem
• Tomowa-Sintow, Baltsa, Carreras, van Dam, Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor, Chor der Nationaloper Sofia, Wiener Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG, 1984) // RQ: 5
• Ricciarelli, Verrett, Domingo, Ghiaurov, Coro e Orchestra del Teatro all Scala, Claudio Abbado (DGG, 1980; recorded 1979) // RQ: 4
- Rigoletto, opera
• Cappuccilli, Cotrubas, Domingo, Obraztsova, Ghiaurov, Moll, Schwarz, Wiener Staatsopernchor, Wiener Philarmoniker, Carlo Maria Giulini (DGG, 1979)
- Otello, opera
• Vickers, Freni, Glossop, Deutsche Oper Chor, Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (Angel, 1973)
RICHARD WAGNER (1813-1883)
- Siegfried-Idyll, for orchestra
• Wiener Philarmoniker, Georg Solti (Decca, 1966) — with Bruckner Symphony no. 7 // RQ: 4
Recorded toward the end of the sessions of the Walküre opera, on the evening of November 14, 1965.
- Wesendonk Lieder, for voice and orchestra
• Kirsten Flagstad, Wiener Philarmoniker, Hans Knappertsbusch (Decca, 1957; recorded 1956) — with “Einsam in trüben Tagen” (Lohengrin), “Ich Sah das Kind” (Parsifal), “Der Männer Sippe,” “Du bist der Lenz” (Die Walküre) // RQ: 3
• Janet Baker, London Philarmonic Orchestra, Adrian Boult (EMI) — with Strauss Four Songs, Brahms Alto Rhapsody
• Kirsten Flagstad, Gerald Moore, piano (Seraphim, 1967 - historic mono; recorded 1948-1949) — with Brahms Two Songs op.91, Grieg Four Songs
- Tristan und Isolde, Lohengrin, Parsifal, Excerpts (Duets)
• Kirsten Flagstad, Lauritz Melchior, San Francisco Opera Orchestra, RCA Symphony Orchestra, Edwin McArthur (RCA, 1972 -- historic mono; recorded 1939-1940)
- Tristan und Isolde, opera
• Suthaus, Flagstad, Thebom, Greindl, Fischer-Dieskau, Philarmonia Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwängler (EMI -- historic mono, 1952)
Kirsten Flagstad as Isolde….
• Price, Fassbaender, Kollo, Fischer-Dieskau, Moll, Choir of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Staatskapelle Dresden, Carlos Kleiber (DGG, 1980-82)
Another legendary performance of this opera.
• Windgassen, Nilsson, Ludwig, Talvela, Waechter, Chor und Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele, Karl Böhm (DGG, 1966)
The last side of the set is devoted to a rehearsal session; fascinating, if you understand German.
- Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, opera
• Donath, Hesse, Adam, Ridderbusch, Kollo, Schreier, Moll, Staatskapelle Dresden, Chor der Staatsoper Dresden/Chor des Leipziger Rundfunks, Herbert von Karajan (EMI, 1971)
- Der Ring des Nibelungen, opera cycle: Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, Götterdammerung
• Nilsson, Flagstad, Crespin, Ludwig, Dernesch, Fassbaender, Watts, Sutherland, Popp, Jones, Fischer-Dieskau, Windgassen, London, Wächter, Neidlinger, Stolze, Frick, Hotter, King, Wiener Philarmoniker, Georg Solti (Decca, 1958-1965) // RQ: 5
The famous production by John Culshaw.
• Donath, Moser, Crespin, Janowitz, Reynolds, Ludwig, Dernesch, Fischer-Dieskau, Kelemen, Talvela, Thoma, Vickers, Stewart, Ridderbusch, Stolze, Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG, 1966-70)
- Parsifal, opera
• Hofman, Vejzovic, Moll, van Dam, Nimsgern, von Halem, Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Berliner Philarmoniker, Herbert von Karajan (DGG Digital, 1979-80) // RQ: 4
ANTON WEBERN (1883-1945)
- String Quartet op.5, op.9, op.28
• LaSalle Quartet (DGG, 1971; recorded March and December 1968, March 1969) — with Schoenberg Op.7, 10, 30, 37 and String Quartet in D; Berg Op.3, Lyrische Suite
• Juilliard Quartet (CBS, 1978) — in Complete works (see below) // RQ: 4
• Alban Berg Quartet (Telefunken) — with Haubenstock-Ramati String Quartet no.1, Urbanner String Quartet no.3
- Complete works
• Harper, Lukomska, McDaniel, Stern, Piatigorsky, Rosen, Weinstein, Juilliard Quartet, John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez, Anton Webern (CBS, 1978)
Not much competition in this repertoire, on LPs. The situation has changed quite a bit in more recent years, with a number of excellent interpretations... on CDs. This CBS set includes invaluable recordings of Webern’s conducting his own arrangements of two of Schubert’s Deutsche Tänze.
KURT WEILL (1900-1950)
- Suite for Wind Orchestra from “The Threepenny Opera”
• The London Sinfonietta, David Atherton (DGG, 1976) — with Pantomime, Vom Tod I’m Wald, Happy End, Das Berliner Requiem, Mahagonny-Songspiel, Konzert für Violine und Blasorchester // RQ: 4
- Das Berliner Requiem, for three male voices and wind orchestra
• Langridge, Luxon, Rippon,The London Sinfonietta, David Atherton (DGG, 1976) — with Pantomime, Vom Tod I’m Wald, Happy End, Mahagonny-Songspiel, Kleine Dreigroschenmusick für Blasorchester, Konzert für Violine und Blasorchester // RQ: 4
- Mahagonny-Songspiel, for voices and orchestra
• Langridge, Partridge, Luxon, Rippon, Dickinson, Thomas,The London Sinfonietta, David Atherton (DGG, 1976) — with Pantomime, Vom Tod I’m Wald, Happy End, Das Berliner Requiem, Kleine Dreigroschenmusick für Blasorchester, Konzert für Violine und Blasorchester // RQ: 4
IANNIS XENAKIS (1922-2001)
- Nuits, for 12 voices
• Les Solistes des Choeurs de l’O.R.T.F., Marcel Couraud (Erato) — with Messiaen Cinq Rechants, Penderecki Stabat Mater
- Akrata, for instrumental ensemble
• Ensemble Instrumental de Musique Contemporaine de Paris, Konstantin Simonovitch (Angel) — with Achorripsis, Polla Ta Dhina, ST/10
• The Festival Chamber Orchestra, Richard Duffalo (Columbia) — with Nono Canciones a Guiomoar, Del Tredici Syzygy
- Eonta, for piano and brass instruments
• Yuji Takahashi, Ensemble Instrumental de Musique Contemporaine de Paris, Konstantin Simonovitch (Le Chant du Monde) — with Pithoprakta, Metastasis
- Metastasis, for orchestra
• Orchestre National de l’Office de Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française, Konstantin Simonovitch (Le Chant du Monde) — with Pithoprakta, Eonta
- Jonchaies, for orchestra
• Orchestre National de France, Michel Tabachnik (Erato) — with Cendrées, Nomos Gamma
- Nomos Gamma, for orchestra
• Orchestre Philharmonique de l’O.R.T.F, Charles Bruck (Erato) — with Cendrées, Jonchaies • Orchestre Philharmonique de l’O.R.T.F, Charles Bruck (Candide) — with Terretektorh
- Pithoprakta, for orchestra
• Orchestre National de l’Office de Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française, Konstantin Simonovitch (Le Chant du Monde) — with Metastasis, Eonta
- Cendrées, for choir and orchestra
• Choeurs de la Fondation Gulbenkian de Lisbonne, Orchestre National de France, Michel Tabachnik (Erato) — with Jonchaies, Nomos Gamma
- Oresteia, for choir and orchestra
• Ensemble vocal Stéphane Caillat, Maîtrise de Notre-Dame de Paris, Ensemble Ars Nove, Marius Constant (Erato)
ALEXANDER ZEMLINSKY (1871-1942)
- Lyrische Symphonie, for voice and orchestra
• Varady, Fischer-Dieskau, Berliner Philarmoniker, Lorin Maazel (DGG)
BERND ALOIS ZIMMERMANN (1918-1970)
- Présence, ballet blanc en cinq scènes, for violin, cello and piano
• Saschko Gawriloff, Siegfried Palm, Aloys Kontarsky (DGG) — with Intercomunicazione
- Concerto pour violoncello et orchestre en forme de “pas de trois”
• Siegfried Palm, Sinfonieorchester des Südwestfunks, Baden-Baden, Hans Zender (Wergo, 1969) — with Photoptosis, Tratto II
- Photoptosis, for orchestra
• Sinfonieorchester des Südwestfunks, Baden-Baden, Hans Zender (Wergo, 1969) — with Concerto pour violoncello et orchestre en forme de “pas de trois”, Tratto II
- Die Soldaten, opera
• Mitglieder-Ensemble der Städtliche Bühnen, Köln, Gurzenich-Orchester, Köln, Michael Gielen (Wergo)
​
(updated February 2019)
