Back on the topic of orchestral blockbusters

[TomR]

Listening to the Arnold overtures makes me yearn for a few classics - first, one of Stravinsky's works - it seems that Firebird would be a fantastic choice. Next, there's been some campaining for Mahler - personally, I would favor the Mahler 4th over the 1st, as a better work, and one that would showcase the ability to handle vocals as well as orchestral music. Even a work like "The Planets" would be fabulous.

And as long as we are doing the classic works of film composers, there's always Korngold......

[JoeG]

I would offer up a hardy second for a "Firebird". My choice would be the Dorati/LSO that was released by Mercury and has been reissued on vinyl by Classic records in both a 33 and 45 rpm versions, both out of print.

On the Mahler front, I would love to see the 7th...

[astrotoy]

My absolute favorite blockbuster classical album is entitled "Espana" - conducted by Argenta. It is Decca SXL2020 recorded in the late 50's. The beginning of the first cut - Rimsky-Korsakoff's Capriccio Espagnol is an absolute stunner. The Speaker's Corner reissue is excellent, not quite as good as the original Decca, but also about 1/10th the price. I also think the Dorati Firebird is wonderful.  I think the Decca SXL list is chock full of great sounding great performances. Two of them were on the first series of TP - with the Suite Espagnole the more spectacular sounding. I have mentioned several in other postings - some of the later issues conducted by Zubin Mehta have outstanding sound and fine playing - Mahler Sym 2, Mahler Sym 3, Holst Planets,  Elgar Enigma Var coupled with Ives Sym 1, Williams Star Wars and Close Encounters are several.  I also like the Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet with Maazel.  There are also many early Decca's including the famous Solti Rheingold from his complete Ring cycle. What makes the Decca recordings intriguing is that it appears that the TP has at least some access into that wonderful catalogue.  The EMI catalogue has many, many great recordings also, especially those produced and engineered by Christopher Bishop and Christopher Parker (the so called two Christopher albums) many conducted by Andre Previn.  Larry

[TomR]

I didn't suggest another Mahler besides the 1st and 4th due to the length, but yeah, by all means I would love a recording of 2, 3 or 7 (I really love the 7th - so quirky and fun). The 7th is Mahler's least popular symphony, and quality recordings in the pre digital era are, I believe, relatively scarce. Maybe the Solti/Chicago Symphony (the first performance of the 7th I heard), although some people are allergic to Solti.

I lived in LA for 4 years, and heard Mehta and Giulini as music directors of the LAPO.  I have to say - I am not, and never have been a big fan of Mehta's - his conducting seems to me to gloss over many details and lose the overall continuity of a piece in favor of big moments. I heard him conduct Mahler 2 and 4 live, as well as a few other things, and have heard a few other recordings - some of his opera recordings, the Planets, and Dvorak's 8th.

OK - I would happily accept a Mehta conducted Mahler 2, if that's what we get - but PLEASE no Gilbert Kaplan!

[ironbut]

Hey, I'm with you guys on all your choices. I am a Solti fan but have Zuben's recording of the Planets which I enjoy. I love my reissued Argenta set and the Capriccio is a heck of a workout for any system. If the suggested "special classical series" ever surfaces, maybe we can get a multi lp length recording or two, but that's getting ahead of things right now.
I am a huge Stravinsky fan and outside of my multiple copies of Miles Davis's Kinda Blue comes the Dorati Firebird. I can't think of two recording that I'd wish for more than those.
So, carry on boys. I really find it hard to believe that this forum isn't more active.

[JoeG]

While I have never been much for DG recordings, or von Karajan for that matter, I must confess that I do really like the performance the Berlin gives under his baton of Holst's "The Planets". This despite that fact that besides being a DG it is also a digi recording. Therefore it gets ruled out as a candidate. The Mehta "Planets" is a real winner too.

I may have mentioned the next one in another thread, but Strauss "Alpine Symphony" is a monumental work. My only LP of the work is another von Karajan/Berliner issue, but I am sure some of you could suggest a definitive recording that could be a candidate.

There has not been a whole lot of talk about chamber works. Perhaps the Dorati Merc release of "Ancient Airs and Dances", Starker's "Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello", also from Mercury.