Classical recordings you couldn't be without

Nice idea for a thread MP, as I'm always up for suggestions.

I loved this when I had it on vinyl......must get round to getting it on CD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/EMI-Masters-Concertos-Brain-Karajan/dp/B0032HKEN...

He was my idol when trying to play this instrument.

I also love this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Schubert-Piano-Sonatas-D-840-Lewis/dp/B00585QLX2...

There are about a dosen of classical albums in my collection that I couldn't be without. These are my three favourite.

A baroque version of the Four Seasons. Clicky

A triple CD compilation of Mozart's best music. Clicky

A triple CD compilation of Beethoven's best music. Clicky

I won't pretend Classical is my favourite genre, but there are quite a few individual pieces I like and in particular I love The Lark Ascending by Vaughn Williams... I do have a CD with this on, but it's quite a poor recording, so if someone could recommend a quality recording of this track, I would be most grateful.

Mac

Bach - Goldberg variations Glen Gould (both 1955 and 1981 versions)

lots of others too, but Goldberg wins by a country mile for me.

Since I've started using Spotify I'm much less bothered about owning a particular CD. If it's on Spotify and in my playlist "collection" I feel as if I own it. 

Also, one of the nice things about classical music is that for mainstream works there's typically more than one recording and so not quite the same "need" to own a particular CD. And also, of course, someone is bound to record the work again in the future.

So many I could include but I'll start with this one. The Planets - Holst - BBC Philharmonic, Sir Andrew Davies. Chandos. Terrific performance brillantly recorded.

You see for me, it is about the music and the performance, so it is even more important to own particular CDs.  For example I currently own 10 different recordings of the Chopin Sonatas and each brings something different to the music.  Somebody might well record them in the future, but could that replace, for example, Rubinstein's beautiful recording?  For me, no.  The new recording could add to my understanding of the work, but I always want to be 100% sure that I could listen to the Rubinstein any time I wish.

Vivaldi 4 Concertos for Cello - Christine Walevska/Netherlands Chamber Orchestra - Philips LP, haven't heard it for a while, but got me into classical

Mendelssohn Concerto op 64 - Janina Jansen - Decca CD

Carmina Burana - Robert Shaw Telarc

The point I'm getting at Matthew is that the music is more important than the performance/recording. If the Rubinstein never existed, you'd still have plenty of very good recordings to choose from as you have just said. 

Yes, and I do agree.  However, I think certain performers stand out above others and tell us something new about a work and it wouldn't do to be without those recordings.  Our knowledge of the music would be all the poorer for it.

Gosh!  There are so many.  I'm not home right now but I'll make a list.

Chris

Got to add:

Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 (LSO/Previn)  EMI Classics  (beautifully recorded too)

hey Mattew,

I'm not a classical buff by any means, but I recently purchased a copy of The Avison Ensemble: Arcangelo Corelli Opus 6 Conceti Grossi from the Linn website.

It is absolutley sublime.

Any recommendations along this line?

Matthew,

               This is such a vast area for me and my favourites are changing all the time, but if I were to go away on holday tomorrow here are some of the pieces I would be putting on my phone to take away -

Elgar Symphony No 2 - Andrew Davies, BBC Symphonie Ochestra.

Prokoviev - Romeo and Juiet , Mazell, Cleveland  Orchestra.

Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique, Sir Colin Davies, Consertgebouw Amsterdam.

Bruch Violin concerto - Janine Jansen.

Elgar Violin concerto - Tasmin Lttle.

Korngold violin concerto - Nicola Benedetti

Mind you that could change again...............

Oops forgot -

Elgar Cello concero - Sol Gabetta.