Week 4 Nos. 81-85
81. Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose), Op. 59
Richard Strauss Opera 1911 Play
I find the classic Karajan recording from 1956 an easy recommendation. This is arguably one of his greatest opera recordings and the cast is outstanding, crowned by Elizabeth Schwarzkopf’s peerless Marschallin. Would love to hear if others here have any more recent favourites.
Philharmonia Orchestra, Karajan “Strauss R: Der Rosenkavalier (2017 Remastered)” 24/96
Aaron Copland Unsorted Orchestral 1944 Play
My father was sold on the Tilson Thomas recording of the version for full orchestra (this is normally a chamber piece). Consequently this is the one I have heard and fallen in love with.
San Francisco SO, Tilson Thomas “Copland: Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid, Romero” 1999 16/44.1
A more recent favourite is Eiji Oue with the Minnesota Orchestra expertly captured by Keith O. Johnson on Reference Recordings.
Minnesota Orchestra, Oue “Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man, Appalachian Spring & Symphony No.3” 2000 16/44.1
83. Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111
Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Sonata 1822 Play
How to pick from an almost impossibly wide field? Schnabel from the mono era or any of the classic stereo readings by Kempff, Kovacevich or Goode? No, in this case I’ll go with Cristoph Eschenbach’s 1979 EMI recording (the coupled Hammerklavier is a treat too). The remastered sound is a big improvement over the original bargain priced CD.
Eschenbach “Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 29 - 32 & 6 Bagatelles”
Modest Mussorgsky Opera 1873 Play
Not a piece I am very familiar with so I will fall back on the Penguin Guide recommendation of the Gergiev recording with the Kirov Opera and Orchestra on Philips.
Kirov Opera & Orchestra, Gergiev “Moussorgsky: Boris Godunov (1869 & 1872 Versions)” 1998 16/44.1
85. Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90
Johannes Brahms Symphony 1883 Play
Hard to overlook all the classic Karajan readings of these symphonies with the BPO (take your pick between the 1964 and the 1978) but I will resist the temptation and go with Claudio Abbado’s more recent digital set.
Berliner Philharmoniker, Abbado “Brahms: Symphony No. 3, Tragic Overture, Song of Destiny” 1990 16/44.1
