Since you are interested in Swan Lake / Sleeping Beauty / Nutcracker [ballet highlights], here is a list of other items that you may find interesting.
BEETHOVEN / BRAHMS / MOZART
Leon Fleisher Plays Beethoven & Brahms [5 CD set] Leon Fleisher (piano) / The Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell [ Sony Classical Masters / 5 CD Box Set - released 20/May/2012 ] "Fleisher has the ability to take the slow movement slowly, and the molto adagio cadenza near its end is for once as slow as the composer could wish, and very impressive. The finale has plenty of fire" (Gramophone on the Brahms Concerto No 1) |
VERDI / PUCCINI / BIZET / WAGNER / LEONCAVALLO
The Best of the 3 Tenors Placido Domingo / Luciano Pavarotti / Jose Carreras / various conductors [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] Here they are! The greatest tenor lineup in the world in a special programme of popular tenor arias and duets. |
JOHANN STRAUSS 11
Waltzes and Polkas Philadelphia Orchestra / Eugene Ormandy [ Sony Essential / CD - released 5/Jun/2008 ] "I personally feel that almost all of the material Ormandy committed to disc with the Philadelphians during his association with CBS/Columbia/Sony is worth owning, and this CD of Strauss Waltzes is no exception." (Amazon.com) |
RICHARD STRAUSS
Fritz Reiner conducts Richard Strauss (5 CDs) Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner, with Antonio Janiqro (cello) Bryon janis (piano) Inqu Borkh (soprano) [ Sony Classical Masters / 5 CD Box Set - released 20/May/2011 ] "These were the first stereo sessions the RCA engineers arranged with Fritz Reiner. The RCA recording team 'got it right' from the very beginning. Reiner achieves an admirable balance and whatever he does is convincing." Rosette (Penguin Stereo Guide) |
GEORGE GERSHWIN
Gershwin: An American in Paris / Rhapsody in Blue (with works by Bernstein) Columbia Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein (piano/conductor) [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] "Mr. Bernstein is not only brilliant where brilliance is called for but he is supremely affectionate in the improvisatory passages and gives the impression of thoroughly enjoying himself, one that is by no means common." (Gramophone on Rhapsody in Blue) |
PROKOFIEV
Erich Leinsdorf conducts Prokofiev [6 CD set] John Browning (piano) Erick Friedman (violin) / Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf [ Sony Classical Masters / 6 CD Box Set - released 20/May/2011 ] "All the hard work RCA have put in on their methods of recording the Boston Symphony seems to have been well worth while. The orchestral sound is splendidly solid but not thick, with excellent internal balance and a very full dynamic range." Gramophone |
JOAQUIN RODRIGO
Rodrigo: Concierto De Aranjuez / Fantasia para un Gentilhombre / etc Julian Bream (guitar) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, RCA Victor Chamber Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, Leo Brouwer [ Sony RCA Classical Masters / CD - released 10/Dec/2017 ] "There is Bream's marvellous performance of the solo part, excellent orchestral playing and excellent recording." (Gramophone) |
RAVEL
Bolero / Rapsodie Espagnole / la Valse / etc (rec 1984) L'Orchestre National de France, Lorin Maazel [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] "La valse is high powered with a mannered ending, but I enjoyed the rather sultry performance of the Rapsodie espagnole, while the Alborada is certainly brilliant." (Gramophone) |
JOSEF HAYDN
Haydn: Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Sinfonia Concertante / etc Steven Isserlis (cello) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Roger Norrington [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/2011 ] "Cellist Steven Isserlis's playing is alert, sensitive, and joyous." (Highbeam.com) |
BEETHOVEN
Piano Sonatas Nos. 14 'Moonlight' No. 21 'Waldstein' & No. 23 'Appassionata' Vladimir Horowitz (piano) [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/2011 ] Russian-born Vladimir Horowitz was one of the most acclaimed pianists of the modern age, a formidable virtuoso whose inimitable artistry and technique were rooted in the grand Romantic tradition. |