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 21 to 40 of 195
J. S. BACH
Bach: Goldberg Variations Beatrice Rana (piano) [ Warner Classics / CD - released 1/Mar/2017 ] "Her detailing is one of the aspects that makes this performance so compelling, be it the bringing out of a new line in the repeat, subtle changes in phrasing, a touch of pedal - examples are to be found in every single variation." Gramophone |
EDWARD GRIEG
Grieg: Holberg Suite / Two Elegiac Melodies / Two Lyric Pieces / etc Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra / Ole Kristian Ruud (conductor) [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Nov/2005 ] "This is simply the most beautiful record of Grieg's string music in the catalogue, and one of the most beautiful and realistic recordings of strings we have ever heard. Try and hear the disc on SACD equipment with four speakers, and you will be... |
PYOTR Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake / Nutcracker / Sleeping Beauty (Ballet Suites) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Mstislav Rostropovich. [ Deutsche Grammophon The Originals / CD - released 5/May/2001 ] 'Rostropovich's trypich of Tchaikovsky ballets is very special. The remastering, always outstanding. Now approaches demonstration standard. 69 minutes of sheer joy.' - Rosette (highest rating) Penguin Guide |
BELA BARTOK
Bartok: Miraculous Mandarin (The) (Complete Ballet) / Hungarian Pictures / Dance Suite Bournemouth Symphony Chorus / Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Marin Alsop, conductor [ Naxos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 17/Apr/2005 ] "There's really no reason not to acquire this CD" International record review (June 2005) |
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) |
MICHAEL HAYDN
Haydn, (M.): Requiem & Mass Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Hilary Summers (alto) James Gilchrist (tenor) Peter Harvey (bass) / King's Consort / Robert King [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 13/Apr/2005 ] "King and his forces give the Mass a satisfyingly spirited performance, but these discs are memorable for their fine recording of Michael Haydn's astonishing Requiem. This must be one of my records of the year and I do urge you to buy it." -... |
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! |
BENJAMIN BRITTEN
Britten: A Ceremony of Carols / Saint Nicolas The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge / Holst Singers / City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Layton (cond) [ Hyperion / CD - released 1/Oct/2012 ] GRAMOPHONE AWARD FINALIST 2013: Choral |
MAURICE DURUFLE
Durufle: Requiem / Quatre Motets / Messe cum Jubilo / etc Choir of Westminster Cathedral / James O'Donnell (conductor) with Aaron Webber (treble) and Simon Keenlyside (baritone) [ Hyperion / CD - released 25/May/2005 ] 'The Westminster Cathedral boys and men carry the lyricism and harmonic luxuriance to an ethereal plane. The choral singing is superb ... helping one to bathe in Duruflé's sumptuous ideas' (The Daily Telegraph) |
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) |
GUSTAV MAHLER
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mahler: Symphony No. 9 in D major / Kindertotenlieder / Rückert-Lieder Christa Ludwig (mezzo) / Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan [ Deutsche Grammophon / 2 CD - released 10/Oct/2014 ] "Certainly this is the finest live performance of a Mahler symphony to have appeared on any kind of record since Mengelberg's 1939 account of the Fourth Symphony." Gramophone Top Ten Mahler Symphonies of all time |
BELA BARTOK
Bartók: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 Christian Tetzlaff (violin) / Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu [ Ondine / CD - released 1/Jun/2018 ] "Ondine's new Bartók CD is an out-and-out winner...Tetzlaff's account of the First Concerto elevates this work to a whole new level of musical excellence..It's that good!" Gramophone Award WINNER 2018 - Concerto |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Requiem in D minor, K626 Christine Schafer (sop) Bernarda Fink (mezzo) Kurt Streit (tenor) Gerald Finley (baritone) / Vienna Concentus Musicus / Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Deutsche Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 2/Jul/2004 ] "Subtle realism imbues Harnoncourt's deeply considered second recording" Editor's Choice Gramophone July 2004 |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik / Serenata Notturna / etc Concert des Nations, Jordi Savall [ Alia Vox SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 30/May/2008 ] "Savall sets some brisk tempos, particularly for the slow movement of Eine kleine Nachtmusik, but they're convincing. …it's vivid playing from everyone, well defined in outline and responding imaginatively to the varied character of Mozart's music." |
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... |
GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
Handel: Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno (complete oratorio) Deborah York / Gemma Bertagnolli / Sara Mingardo / Concerto Italiano / Rinaldo Alessandrini [ Naive Baroque Voices / 2 CD - released 1/May/2007 ] Stunning performances and recording of this early Italian oratorio by Handel. Newly re-issued at mid-price 2 CDs for less than the price of 1! |
W. A. MOZART
4 Horn Concertos / Piano and Wind Quintet (rec 1953, 1955) Dennis Brain (horn) / Walter Gieseking (piano) / Philharmonia Wind Ensemble / Philharmonia Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan [ Naxos Historical / CD - released 6/Feb/2007 ] "This disc is pure joy. At the price, it is almost a crime not to snap it up." Bargain of the Month MusicWeb May 2007 |
ANTONIN DVORAK
Dvorak: Piano Quartets 1 & 2 Domus [ Hyperion / CD - released 1/Feb/2000 ] PENGUIN GUIDE ROSETTE - "The Dvorak Piano Quartets are glorious pieces, and the playing of Domus is little short of inspired. This is real chamber-music-playing: intimate, unforced and distinguished by both vitality and sensitivity." |
GABRIEL FAURE
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Faure: Piano Quartets Nos 1 & 2 Domus [ Hyperion / CD - released 19/Sep/2003 ] GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER "Domus have the requisite lightness of touch and subtlety, and just the right sense of scale and tempo." Rosette Penguin Stereo Guide |
GABRIEL FAURE
Faure: The Piano Quintets Domus [ Hyperion / CD - released 19/Sep/2003 ] PENGUIN GUIDE ROSETTE GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER |
