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 141 to 160 of 225
GERSHWIN / GROFE / HAYDN / BEETHOVEN / STRAVINSKY / BERNSTEIN / MAHLER
This is Leonard Bernstein: His Greatest Recordings Rudolf Serkin, Lukas Foss (pianos), Original Broadway Cast, Dietrich Fischer Dieskau (baritone) / New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein [ Sony Classical / 16 CD Box Set - released 1/Nov/2009 ] This special edition collects the conductor-composer's 15 most celebrated original albums from the 1950s and 60s on 16 CDs. The best selection of his benchmark recordings as a conductor, composer and pianist. |
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 |
DOUGLAS LILBURN / EDWIN CARR / GILLIAN WHITEHEAD / JENNY McLEOD / DAVID FARQUHAR / etc
New Zealand Composers New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Young [ Continuum / 2 CD - released 23/Jan/2000 ] The very best New Zealand music on a double CD! Includes Lilburn's 'Aotearoa Overture' & Farquhar's 'Ring Around the Moon'. |
BIZET
L'Arlesienne & Carmen Suites / Symphony in C / La Jolie fille de Perth Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal / Charles Dutoit [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 8/Sep/2003 ] "With playing that is both elegant and vivid, and with superb, demonstration-worthy sound, Dutoit's polished yet affectionate coupling of the L'Arlesienne and Carmen suites make a clear first choice." (Penguin Guide) |
ROSSINI
Overtures / Introduction, Theme and Variations for Clarinet Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with Charles Neidich (clarinet) [ DG Entree / CD - released 1/Nov/2004 ] "This is one of the finest of all collections of Rossini overtures to have been recorded in recent decades. The superbly stylish playing apart, one of the reasons for the disc's success is the fact of its working within shrewdly appointed boundaries... |
DEBUSSY
Preludes I & II Pascal Roge (piano) [ Onyx Classics / CD - released 20/Jun/2005 ] "The recording is truly gorgeous, as is the piano sound." (MusicWeb June 2005) |
MESSIAEN
Oiseaux Exotiques / Couleurs de la Cite Celeste and other works for piano and ensemble Peter Donohoe / Netherlands Wind Ensemble / Reinbert de Leeuuw [ Chandos / 2 CD - released 1/Jan/1994 ] Reinbert de Leeuw and his crackerjack Dutch musicians negotiate these difficult scores with dazzling aplomb, not to mention pianist Peter Donohoe's razor-sharp timbre and rhythmic suppleness. The bright, close-up live recording captures the full... |
HENRY CHARLES LITOLFF
Litolff: Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 4 Peter Donohoe (piano) / Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Litton [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto Vol 14 / CD - released 17/May/2001 ] 'This entertaining Hyperion CD is one of the year's surprises and very much worth having' (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs) |
J.S. BACH
Bach: Cantatas for solo bass (BWV 56, 82, 158) Peter Kooy (bass) La Chapelle Royale, Philippe Herreweghe [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 18/Nov/2022 ] These three cantatas for bass solo are based on episodes from the life of Christ (the healing of the lame man, the presentation in the temple, scenes from the Passion) with implications of the benevolence and consolation of death. |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 13 / Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 The Philadelphia Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 26/Feb/2021 ] "Indeed, [his] account of the troubled First Symphony is as surprising and as thrilling as any I have heard since the much-lauded Ormandy account...An altogether stunning album." Gramophone February 2021 Recording of the Month |
BEETHOVEN
Diabelli Variations Piotr Anderszewski (piano) [ EMI Recommends / CD - released 14/Oct/2007 ] 1001 Classical recordings to hear before you die (1801-1850) - "This is Beethoven first, artist second, and even if you have other versions, one recording of the Diabellis can never be enough. Treat yourself and enjoy a pianistic feast." (MusicWeb... |
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) |
CHARLES GOUNOD
The Gounod Edition: Operas, Choral Works, Symphonies Placido Domingo, Regine Crespin, Alfredo Kraus, Nicolai Gedda, Mirella Freni, Marilyn Horne, Rolando Villazon, etc [ Warner Classics / 15 CD Box Set - released 25/Jun/2018 ] "Anyone wanting a share in these darling old steeds at a tempting price will be amply satisfied." Opera |
PUCCINI
Ritrovato (Puccini rediscovered) Placido Domingo (tenor) & Violeta Urmana (soprano) / Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 20/Nov/2009 ] The Italian maestro, Alberto Veronesi, is again joined by the legendary Spanish tenor as he turns his expertise to a project of unusual interest entitled "Puccini ritrovato" - Puccini rediscovered |
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 |
JOHN RUTTER
Gloria and other sacred music Polyphony / City of London Sinfonia / Stephen Layton [ Hyperion / CD - released 10/Jun/2001 ] Editor's Choice - Gramophone Magazine (Aug 2001)- 'Delicious performances of Rutter's wonderfully approachable and finely crafted vocal writing. The sound, too, is outstanding. |
W.A. MOZART
Symphonies No. 40 & No. 41 Prague Chamber Orchestra / Sir Charles Mackerras [ Telarc Classics / CD - released 22/Apr/2003 ] "Mackerras's is an outstanding series, with electrifying performances of the early as well as the later symphonies." (Penguin Guide) |
J.S. BACH
Violin Sonatas (Complete) Rachel Podger (violin) Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord) [ Channel Classics / 2 CD - released 15/Jun/2001 ] 2001 GRAMOPHONE AWARD FINALIST - Baroque Instrumental |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: String Sextets Nos 1 & 2 The Raphael Ensemble [ Hyperion / CD - released 11/Nov/2000 ] GRAMOPHONE CRITICS' CHOICE - 'Their performances can take their place beside any of the great chamber music recordings of the past, and will continue to set standards for years to come' (Gramophone) |
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Puccini: Madama Butterfly (Complete Opera recorded in 1967) Renata Scotto, Carlo Bergonzi, Anna di Stasio, Rolando Panerai / Rome Opera, Sir John Barbirolli [ Warner Classics The Home of Opera / 2 CD - released 25/Apr/2018 ] 'a performance that will remind you of the first time you fell in love with this opera' (Good CD Guide) |
