 | Bach: Cello Suites
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $6.98 Forget the versions by Casals, Rostropovitch, and all the rest. This is the recording to own: Bach's cello suites turned into warm, sexy dance music.
|
 | Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet by Ludwig van Beethoven
Buy new: $42.49 / Used from: $36.00 This studio recording is just as fantastic as the more famous live recording by the Alban Berg Quartet, so you may as well go for the cheaper studio package. Very dry, modern, cerebral; definitely what Beethoven needs!
|
 | Schubert: String Quintet in C, D. 956 by Franz Schubert
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.94 Among the numerous recordings of this all-time favourite chamber music piece, this is one of the greatest. Very warm, but at the same time very clear sound.
|
 | Schumann: String Quartets Op. 41
Buy used from: $30.00 Most reviewers seem to prefer the Zehetmair Quartet's recording to this one by the Ysaye Quartet, but in my opinion this is the real reference recording because it features all three quartets, and because it has a very moving, authentic quality without neglecting Schumann's sometimes odd modernity.
|
 | Robert Schumann: Violin Sonatas No. 1, Op. 105 & No. 2, Op. 121 - Gidon Kremer & Martha Argerich
Buy new: $35.99 / Used from: $11.00 Great recording of often overlooked masterpieces, especially the second sonata is incredible.
|
 | Grieg: String Quartet in G minor, Op. 27; String Quartet in F major; Johansen: String Quartet, Op. 35
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $2.70 Surprisingly, this modest budget recording beats acclaimed versions such as that of Truls Mork and companions, because of its fantastic, modern, powerful sound and immaculate rendition
|
 | Bruch/Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos by Max Bruch
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $3.26 This is again a must-buy, not for the Mendelssohn, but for the popular Bruch Violin Concerto, in which Vengerov beats the competition effortlessly, what a superior, sunny sound!
|
 | Sonatas by Franck, Ysayë, D'Haene
Buy new: $12.97 / Used from: $7.95 First recording by the young Yossif Ivanov, 2nd prize at the Queen Elisabeth Contest in Belgium. The technical and intellectual mastery he displays in these sonatas is really quite special. It is also evident in his choice of a 19th century piece, a 20th century piece and a 21st century piece that all fit together wonderfully.
|
 | Mozart: Complete Piano Concertos / Jos van Immerseel, fortepiano / Anima Eterna Orchestra
Buy used from: $175.60 This series of recordings is truly astounding. Played on a historical fortepiano by the virtuoso Van Immerseel. Much more sparkling and intelligent than the cliche way Mozart is often played.
|
 | Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert: Piano Sonatas
Buy new: $18.98 / Used from: $65.54 The Salzburg 1957 recital as it was recently remastered and re-released by Orfeo features Haskil at the top of her form, especially in the Mozart and Schubert sonatas. The late Clara Haskil is not that well known but she deserves to be remembered because of the incredibe natural beauty of the tone she produced.
|
 | Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze; Concert sans orchestre; Kreisleriana
Buy new: $24.98 / Used from: $48.65 For me this is the reference recording of Schumann solo piano music. Schumann played not as a madman or as a hopeless romantic, but as a radical individualist and a master in sonority.
|
 | Schumann: Piano Concerto / Sviatoslav Richter
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $6.87 Richter's recording of Schumann's piano concerto in A minor has never been beaten. A very intelligent, highly sensitive, architecturally brilliant version.
|
 | Ravel: The Piano Concertos; Valses nobles et sentimentales
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $7.75 Stunning from beginning to the end, mostly thanks to the cristal clear playing and recording.
|
 | Anne Sofie von Otter - Lamenti (Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Purcell, Bertali, Legrenzi) / Goebel by Claudio Monteverdi
Buy new: $18.98 / Used from: $6.95 Forget Cecilia Bartoli and other circus acts. This is so much more intelligent, classy and emotionally honest. Best CD by Von Otter ever.
|
 | Monteverdi - L'Orfeo / Rolfe Johnson, Dawson, von Otter, Argenta, M. Nichols, Tomlinson, Chance, Baird; Gardiner by Claudio Monteverdi
Buy new: $33.98 / Used from: $16.05 Super stuff, the best recording of this piece that I know. Even though it's on period instruments it somehow sounds very modern, 17th century triphop.
|
 | Purcell: Dido And Aeneas by English Chamber Orchestra
Buy used from: $6.88 Leppard has recorded a very romantic version of this baroque opera. Historically accurate? Probably not. But it is so much more emotionally moving and musically satisfying this way.
|
 | Vivaldi: Nisi Dominus & Motets / Scholl
Buy new: $18.98 / Used from: $6.15 Andreas Scholl saves Vivaldi from boredom. This must come close to the heavenly sound that the legendary castrato singers of the 17th and 18th century produced.
|
 | Mozart: Così fan tutte
Buy new: $55.98 / Used from: $31.97 Fabulous, highly original recording of this great opera. The improvisations of Rene Jacobs are nothing less than a revelation. Best opera recording by Rene Jacobs on the market.
|
 | Verdi - La Traviata / Gheorghiu, Lopardo, Nucci, Covent Garden, Solti by Giuseppe Verdi
Buy new: $33.98 / Used from: $9.33 This is what started the hype around Gheorghiu. Amazing performance, one of the best Violettas ever recorded (especially in act I). Better buy the DVD of this one, her acting is great as well.
|
 | Maria Callas - La Divina by Giacomo Puccini
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $1.99 The best compilation that's around of the greatest diva of all time. Be sure to buy vol. I though.
|
Listmania!
