101 Classical Music CDs

"The works of Rimsky-Korsakov music may be conveniently divided into two groups: the overplayed and the unknown." --Richard Taruskin, author, The Oxford History of Western Music (6 Volume Set) After tackling one of Rimsky-Korsakov's most "overplayed" works last week , I have to share the unfortunate truth that his three stunning symphonies tend to fall into the "unknown" category for most people. This post will discuss R-K' s First and Second Symphonies, and in the near future we'll tackle the second disc of this two-CD set, which includes his Third Symphony as well as two of his best known works: the Russian Easter Festival Overture and Capriccio Espagnol. ********************** Neeme Jarvi and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) 3 Symphonies; Capriccio espagnol; Russian Easter Overture Deutsche Grammophon, 1988 ********************** Some interesting trivia on Rimsky-Korsakov: 1) As a member of the Russian

If you're just starting to learn about classical music and you're interested in acquiring your first few recordings, Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade would be a great start to your collection. It's one of the richest, most vibrant symphonic works out there, and is enjoyable and accessible to even the most novice classical music listener. First, let's start with the backstory: "The Sultan Shakhriar, persuaded by the falseness and faithlessness of all women, had sworn to put to death each of his wives after the first night. But the Sultana Scheherazade saved her life by arousing his interest in tales which she told him during a thousand and one nights. Driven by curiosity, the sultan put off his wife's execution from day to day and at last gave up his bloody plan altogether. Scheherazade told many marvelous tales to the Sultan. For her stories, she borrowed from poets their verses, from folk songs their words, and she strung together fairy tales and adventures.

Today's disk is one of my all-time favorites. I affectionately call it "old man" because of the picture of a somnolent Artur Rubenstein on the cover. ********************** Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor Artur Rubinstein and the Guarneri Quartet RCA, 1988, originally recorded 1967 ********************** I'll confess, it took some getting used to for me to appreciate these chamber music works. First, I'm a trumpet player, and know less than nothing about stringed instruments or the piano. Heck it wasn't until I got this disk that I figured out that a "piano quartet" wasn't four pianos playing together (it's actually a string trio--violin, viola and cello--accompanied by piano). Second, most beginning listeners, when they think of classical music, think of the symphony as its primary form. But spend 40 minutes listening quietly and closely to Brahms' Piano Quartet #1 and tell me it

I just finished listening to a symphony that has, at a stroke, made this entire blog worth every minute I've spent writing it. This CD of Brahms 4th Symphony has been sitting on the top shelf of my CD rack, collecting dust, for at least two years. I've never once listened to it until now. And I cannot believe I've let this amazing work lie fallow in my home without even knowing it. And now I have a new all-time favorite Brahms symphony. ********************** Carlos Kleiber and the Weiner Philharmoniker Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Symphony #4 Deutsche Grammophon, 1981 ********************** This symphony is so haunting and beautiful that I had to listen to it a second time immediately after the first. I find the contrast between Brahms' first two symphonies and his fourth particularly interesting. His first two symphonies seem structured and formal, in the style of Beethoven's symphonies (note that this is not an original thought--most serious classical music comme

Handel has unfortunately fallen out of favor among classical music fans in the modern era. Beyond the Messiah (his most famous oratorio), Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks, his music isn't well-known or widely performed today. ********************** Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert Orchestra George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) Water Music Polydor, 1983 ********************** But this composer was treasured during his day in his adopted homeland of England, and his output was massive, encompassing 29 oratorios, 42 operas, more than a hundred cantatas, and countless other works of chamber music. If I were in "CD buying mode" rather than "listening to the CDs I already own" mode, I'd probably purchase recordings of some of Handel's oratorios, or some of his suites for keyboard and harpsichord. But for now I'll have to settle for a careful listen to today's recording, Water Music, which is Handel's second best-known work after t

This week I listened to one of our all-time favorite CDs, a recording of three of Bach's most famous violin concertos. It reminded me of my favorite Bach story: It dates from college. My roomate in those days was a capable piano player, and at college he took organ lessons and became quite a gifted organ player. Once during his senior year, he was practicing in the University's chapel, pounding away at Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor . A young freshman kid walked into the chapel, came up to him, and in a fit of wanting to show how cultured he was, he asked, "is this BWV 565?" "Yes, it is. But dude, don't call it that. Nobody calls it that." I think he also muttered under his breath, "you dweeb" as the kid slunk away. And therein lies a lesson (I guess). Don't bother to try to show off--it only makes you sound like a tool. ********************** David and Igor Oistrach, violins The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Johann Sebastian Bach