Classical Best Versions

What Is The Very Best Version?

In a catalogue that lists over 200 recordings of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons", and even 60 versions of Orff's "Carmina Burana", which is the very best?

With the help of Gramophone, Penguin Stereo Guide, BBC Music, and our own ears, we have put together the definitive guide to the popular classics.

Here are a selection of recommended recordings that should find a place in everyone's collection.

Displaying items 1 to 20 of 190

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Verdi: Aida (complete opera recorded in 2015) cover
add to cart $35.00 In Stock
Cecilia & Bryn: Duets cover
add to cart $35.00 In Stock
MOZART / ROSSINI / DONIZETTI
Cecilia & Bryn: Duets
Cecilia Bartoli (soprano) Bryn Terfel (bass) / Orchestra dell'Accademia di Santa
[ Decca Records / CD - released 2/May/2001 ]
The world's leading mezzo-soprano and the world's greatest baritone combine!
Gorecki: Symphony No. 3 'Symphony of Sorrowful Songs' cover
add to cart $25.00 In Stock
HENRYK GORECKI
Gorecki: Symphony No. 3 'Symphony of Sorrowful Songs'
Dawn Upshaw (soprano) / London Symphony / David Zinman
[ Nonesuch Records / CD - released 26/Jun/1992 ]
This is an outstanding rendition of Gorecki's Third, capturing the feeling of growing hope and joy that can ultimately break from the shackles of sorrow. Zinman and the London Sinfonietta really understand the mood and philosophy of this piece, and...
Elina Garanca: Habanera cover
add to cart $33.00 In Stock
BIZET / FALLA / BERNSTEIN / RAVEL / LEHAR / etc
Elina Garanca: Habanera
Elina Garanca (mezzo) with Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI, Coro Filarmonico del Regio di Torino, Karel Mark Chichon
[ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 30/Aug/2010 ]
"GaranĨa's voice has been described as "creamy", "silken" and "lustrous" but it also has a surprisingly rounded maturity. What sets her apart, however, is the unteachable ability to send shivers down the spine." Editor's Choice - Gramophone Magazine,...
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf - Operetta Arias cover
add to cart $25.00 In Stock
Mozart: Complete Violin Concertos cover
add to cart $40.00 In Stock
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Complete Violin Concertos
Isabelle Faust (violin) / Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini
[ Harmonia Mundi / 2 CD - released 20/Nov/2016 ]
"her sound growing out of the corporate entity to glitter, coax, snarl and soar as required…[a] thought-provoking and eminently enjoyable cycle" Gramophone Award WINNER 2017 - RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Elgar: Cello Concerto / Sea Pictures / Overture: Cockaigne cover
add to cart $20.00 In Stock
EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar: Cello Concerto / Sea Pictures / Overture: Cockaigne
Jacqueline Du Pre (cello) Dame Janet Baker (mezzo) / London Symphony Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli
[ Warner Classics Original Jacket Reissues / CD - released 22/Aug/2015 ]
GRAMOPHONE MAGAZINE 100 GREATEST RECORDINGS OF ALL TIME
Music for Strings cover
add to cart $35.00 In Stock
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS / HERBERT HOWELLS / FREDERICK DELIUS / SIR EDWARD ELGAR
Music for Strings
John Wilson, Sinfonia Of London
[ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 3/Feb/2023 ]
"I expect it has been said before, but the Sinfonia of London belongs in the Formula 1 class of orchestras, and in this repertoire sits in pole position." Gramophone Award Finalist 2023 - Orchestral
Liszt: Piano Works (nine CD set) cover
add to cart $75.00 In Stock
FRANZ LISZT
Liszt: Piano Works (nine CD set)
Jorge Bolet (piano)
[ Decca Budget Boxes / 9 CD Box Set - released 26/May/2001 ]
All Bolet's solo Liszt recordings in one box at a special price
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Dvorak: Symphonies Nos 1-9 / Overtures / Scherzo Capriccioso cover
add to cart $85.00 In Stock
ANTONIN DVORAK
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Dvorak: Symphonies Nos 1-9 / Overtures / Scherzo Capriccioso
London Symphony Orchestra, Istvan Kertesz
[ Decca Collector's Edition / 6 CD Box Set - released 1/Jan/2002 ]
"The CD transfers are of Decca's best quality, full-bodied and vivid...his readings give us fresh insights into these often inspired works...a magnificent memorial to a conductor who died sadly young" - Rosette (Highest Award). Penguin Stereo Guide
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Dvorak/Martinu/Janacek: Love Songs cover
add to cart $33.00 In Stock
Saint-Saëns: Organ Symphony / Carnival of the Animals cover
add to cart $25.00 In Stock
CAMILLE SAINT-SAENS
Saint-Saëns: Organ Symphony / Carnival of the Animals
Martha Argerich (piano) Antonio Pappano (piano) Daniele Rossi (organ) / Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
[ Warner Classics / CD - released 25/Sep/2017 ]
Martha Argerich and Antonio Pappano (as pianist rather than conductor) lead the fun in Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals with Members of the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Great Pianists of the 20th Century - Mikhail Pletnev cover
add to cart $35.00 In Stock
PYOTR Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Great Pianists of the 20th Century - Mikhail Pletnev
Mikhail Pletnev (piano) / The Philharmonia, Vladimir Fedoseyev
[ BMG Philips EMI / 2 CD - released 20/Jan/2018 ]
"Admirers of this pianist will count this Double an outstanding bargain." *** Three Stars Penguin Stereo Guide
Lilburn: The Three Symphonies cover
add to cart $25.00 In Stock
DOUGLAS LILBURN
Lilburn: The Three Symphonies
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra / James Judd
[ Naxos / CD - released 2/May/2002 ]
"There's a freshness and enthusiasm in Judd's readings, and he takes care with the music, observing every detail. Throughout all three symphonies there is a greater breadth and warmth of emotion than we've heard before." - Sunday Star Times (May 2002
Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos 17 & 20 cover
add to cart $15.00 In Stock
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos 17 & 20
Piotr Anderszewski (piano and conductor) / Scottish Chamber Orchestra
[ Erato Classics / CD - released 1/Feb/2006 ]
"In both these concertos everything is perfectly in proportion; the drama is never over-played in the D minor, while the slow movement of the G major is made that concerto's emotional heart" (Guardian)
Smetana: Ma Vlast (My Fatherland), including Vltava (Moldau) cover
add to cart $25.00 In Stock
BEDRICH SMETANA
Smetana: Ma Vlast (My Fatherland), including Vltava (Moldau)
The Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra / Antoni Wit
[ Naxos / CD - released 15/Sep/2000 ]
"this new Naxos offering enshrines an interpretation of no mean stature and individuality: an undoubted bargain, I would say" - Gramophone
Ravel: Sheherazade / Berlioz: Les Nuits d'ete / with a recital of French songs (rec 1963) cover
add to cart $25.00 In Stock
MAURICE RAVEL / HECTOR BERLIOZ
Ravel: Sheherazade / Berlioz: Les Nuits d'ete / with a recital of French songs (rec 1963)
Regine Crespin (soprano) / Suisse Romande Orchestra / Ernest Ansermet
[ Decca Originals / CD - released 20/Aug/2006 ]
"Crespin is right inside these songs and ravel's magically sensuous music emerges with striking spontaneity. She is superbly supported by Ansermet who, aided by the Decca engineers, weaves a fine tonal web round the voice." (Penguin Guide Rosette)
Poulenc: Gloria / Quatre motets / et cover
add to cart $30.00 In Stock
FRANCIS POULENC
Poulenc: Gloria / Quatre motets / et
Susan Gritton (soprano) / Polyphony / Britten Sinfonia / Stephen Layton
[ Hyperion / CD - released 25/Mar/2008 ]
GRAMOPHONE MAGAZINE AWARD FINALIST 2008 - Choral -
Kreek: The Suspended Harp of Babel cover
add to cart $40.00 In Stock
CYRILLUS KREEK
Kreek: The Suspended Harp of Babel
Vox Clamantis
[ ECM / CD - released 8/May/2020 ]
"The singing breathes with a collective, gentle inevitability…The final impression is abiding solace for these distracted times." BBC Music Five Stars. Choral & Song Choice July 2020
Shostakovich: Violin Concertos Nos 1 & 2 cover
add to cart $20.00 Low Stock
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich: Violin Concertos Nos 1 & 2
Alina Ibragimova (violin), State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia 'Evgeny Svetlanov', Vladimir Jurowski (conductor)
[ Hyperion / CD - released 5/Jun/2020 ]
GRAMOPHONE Award WINNER 2021 - Concerto BBC Music Award Nomination 2021 - Concerto