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 224
J.S. BACH
Cantatas Nos BWV179, BWV199 & BWV113 Kozena, Towers, Padmore, Loges / English Baroque Soloists / John Eliot Gardiner [ DG Archiv / CD - released 21/Oct/2000 ] A live performance of Bach's Cantatas for the 11th Sunday after Trinity. Features Magdalena Kozena's stunning performance of BWV199 "Mein Herze schwimmt in Blut" |
DOMENICO SCARLATTI
Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonatas Mikhail Pletnev (piano) [ Erato Classics Red Line / CD - released 15/Oct/2018 ] "Pletnev establishes a firm pianistic approach...The performances throughout are in the very front rank." Penguin Guide, 2011 edition |
EDVARD GREIG
Grieg: Peer Gynt / Symphonic Dance No.2 / In Autumn / etc. Ilse Hollweg (soprano) / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham [ Warner Classics / CD - released 13/Feb/2012 ] "Beecham showed a very special feeling for this score and to hear (these excerpts) under his baton is a uniquely rewarding experience. Ilse Hollweg makes an excellent soloist." Rosette - Penguin Stereo Guide |
FRANK MARTIN
Martin: Mass for Double Choir (with Pizzetti - Messa di Requiem) Westminster Cathedral Choir, James O'Donnell [ Hyperion / CD - released 19/Sep/2003 ] 1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1901-1950) - GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER / RECORD OF THE YEAR Rosette (Highest Rating) Penguin Stereo Guide |
TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No 6 Pathetique / Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture Russian National Orchestra / Mikhail Pletnev [ Deutsche Grammophon Entree / CD - released 11/Oct/2002 ] "for Pletnev, the Pathetique, I suspect, stands apart from the other symphonies, as this new DG account remains an interpretation that throws moderation to the winds." (Gramophone) |
JOHN TAVENER
Ikon of Light / Funeral Ikos / The Lamb / etc Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips, director [ Gimell / CD - released 10/May/2014 ] "Enjoying a close working relationship with Tavener at the time, The Tallis Scholars imbued these performances with a real sense of ownership and an innate feel for the graceful shaping of his chant-inspired lines" Gramophone Magazine Re-issue of the |
BRAHMS
Symphony No. 1 / Academic Festival Overture Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Sir Charles Mackerras [ Telarc Classics / CD - released 20/Sep/2005 ] "An example of what's best in a new school of thought on the subject, the discs are indispensable." - Los Angeles Times |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Solo Piano Works: Sonata In E Major D157 / Sonata In G Major D894 / etc Arcadi Volodos (piano) [ Sony Classics / CD - released 18/Mar/2002 ] 1001 Classical recordings to hear before you die (1801-1850) - Gramophone Magazine - Recording of the month (June 2002) |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No 4 (with Ravel - Piano Concerto in G) Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (Piano) / Philharmonia Orchestra, Ettore Gracis [ Warner Classics Original Jacket Reissues / CD - released 20/Apr/2015 ] 1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1901-1950) 50 GREATEST RECORDINGS OF ALL TIME (No 18) - BBC MUSIC |
GUSTAV HOLST
Holst: The Planets / Egdon Heath BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Andrew Davis [ Warner Classics Apex / CD - released 1/Apr/2016 ] 1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1901-1950) "An unmissable opportunity to test fresh musical waters....price, presentation and repertory selections, all are bang on target." Gramophone Magazine |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1 - 4 / Quintet for piano & winds Dennis Brain (horn) / Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble / Philharmonia Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 13/Feb/2012 ] 'Truly an all-time classic. Timelessly neat and elegant orchestral playing under Karajan accompanies Dennis Brain's flawless and characterful horn playing.' ('The Gramophone' Good CD Guide, 2005) |
GUSTAV MAHLER
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde Christa Ludwig, Fritz Wunderlich / Philharmonia & New Philharmonia, Otto Klemperer [ Warner Classics Original Jacket Reissues / CD - released 22/Aug/2015 ] 1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1901-1950) - "....not likely to be outshone for a long time" (Gramophone) |
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 |
EDWARD GRIEG
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Grieg: Lyric Pieces Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) [ EMI / Warner Classics / CD - released 3/Mar/2002 ] GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER 2002 - Instrumental |
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Puccini: Tosca (Complete Opera) (Recorded 1953) Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi / Teatro alla Scala, de Sabata [ EMI Historical / 2 CD - released 20/Nov/2003 ] "There has never been a finer recorded performance of Tosca than Callas's first, with Victor de Sabata conducting and Tito Gobbi as Scarpia." -Rosette Penguin Stereo Guide |
CESAR FRANCK
Franck: Organ Works Marie-Claire Alain (organ) [ Erato Apex / 2 CD ] 1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1801-1850) - |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Sonata in D Major for Two Pianos / etc (with Schubert - Fantasia in F minor for two pianos) Murray Perahia (piano) Radu Lupu (piano) [ Sony Originals / CD - released 20/Jul/2011 ] 1001 Classical recordings to hear before you die (1801-1850) - "The performance of Lupu and Perahia is full of haunting poetry, with each of these highly individual artists challenging the other in imagination." (*** Three Stars. Penguin Stereo Guide) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
