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 101 to 120 of 222
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 'Eroica' / Coriolan Overture, Op. 62 Le Concert des Nations, Jordi Savall [ Alia Vox SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 25/May/2016 ] "the end-result has been amongst the most impressive demonstrations of believable surround-sound I have heard." Recording of the Month MusicWeb (May 2016) |
EDWARD GRIEG
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Grieg: Lyric Pieces Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) [ EMI / Warner Classics / CD - released 3/Mar/2002 ] GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER 2002 - Instrumental |
HAYDN
Piano Sonatas Nos 24, 30, 32, 33 & 34 Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) [ EMI Music / CD - released 11/Jan/2002 ] Rosette (Highest Rating) Penguin Stereo Guide |
SIBELIUS
Kullervo Symphony Op 7 Lilli Paasikivi (mezzo-soprano) Raimo Laukka (baritone) / Lahti Symphony / Osmo Vanska. [ BIS / CD - released 1/Feb/2001 ] 2001 GRAMOPHONE AWARD FINALIST - Choral |
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOSVKY / JEAN SIBELIUS
Tchaikovsky & Sibelius: Violin Concertos Lisa Batiashvili (violin) / Staatskapelle Dresden, Daniel Barenboim [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 15/Aug/2017 ] "Every familiar phrase somehow manages to sound both authoritative and newly discovered...a delight from start to finish." Gramophone Magazine Disc of the Month - January 2017 |
NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade / Capriccio espagnol London Symphony Orchestra, Igor Markevitch, with Erich Gruenberg, solo violin (Scheherazade) [ Decca Australian Eloquence / CD - released 14/Jun/2019 ] "This is, quite simply, one of the best-played and recorded accounts of Scheherazade ever made, right from the opening moment when the LSO brass uncompromisingly blast out Sultan Schahriar's ominously threatening theme" MusicWeb |
ANTONIN DVORAK
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Dvorak: Symphonies Nos 1-9 / Overtures / Scherzo Capriccioso London Symphony Orchestra, Istvan Kertesz [ Decca Collector's Edition / 6 CD Box Set - released 1/Jan/2002 ] "The CD transfers are of Decca's best quality, full-bodied and vivid...his readings give us fresh insights into these often inspired works...a magnificent memorial to a conductor who died sadly young" - Rosette (Highest Award). Penguin Stereo Guide |
![Symphony No 2 'London' [Original Version] (with Butterworth - Banks of Green Willow) cover](https://images.marbecks.co.nz/_thumbnails/10112/10112621.jpg)
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Symphony No 2 'London' [Original Version] (with Butterworth - Banks of Green Willow) London Symphony Orchestra / Richard Hickox [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 20/Mar/2003 ] 'Hickox and the LSO respond with an unquenchable spirit, generous flexibility and tender affection that suit VW's admirably ambitious inspiration to a T, and Chandos' sound is big and bold to match. Quite simply, an essential purchase for anyone... |
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet (Complete ballet recorded November 2008) London Symphony Orchestra, Valery Gergiev [ LSO Live SACD / 2 SACD - released 20/Jan/2010 ] DISC OF THE YEAR 2011 (BBC Music) - "Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet warrants a hi-res recording of the complete score since it is regarded by many as the greatest ballet score ever composed. The live recording is sensational in its realism." (AudAud... |
BRAHMS / HANDEL / LIEBERSON / MAHLER
Lieder (Recorded live at Wigmore Hall, 30 November 1998) Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (mezzo-soprano) Roger Vignoles (piano) [ Wigmore Hall Live / CD - released 21/Feb/2007 ] Taped live at a Wigmore Hall recital in 1998 this recording has now come to light following Hunt Lieberson's tragically early death in 2006. Highly recommended by Marbecks staff - a definite disc of the year. |
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Debussy: Songs 4 Lucy Crowe (soprano), Malcolm Martineau (piano) with Jennifer France (soprano) & Christopher Maltman (baritone) [ Hyperion / CD - released 2/Mar/2018 ] "In wonderful voice throughout, Crowe very much makes this repertory her own. Ascents into the stratospheres are all beautifully and securely accomplished, and those long melismas are tautly controlled and always expressive, never vacuous" Gramophone |
ANTONIN DVORAK / LEOS JANACEK / BOHUSLAV MARTINU
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Dvorak/Martinu/Janacek: Love Songs Magdalena Kozena (soprano) Graham Johnson (piano) [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 30/Aug/2000 ] 2001 GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER - Vocal |
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Puccini: Tosca (Complete Opera recorded in 1953) Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi / Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Milano. Victor de Sabata [ Warner Classics Maria Callas Remastered / 2 CD - released 20/Oct/2014 ] 1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1851-1900) - 50 GREATEST RECORDINGS OF ALL TIME (No 5) - BBC MUSIC |
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 |
DVORAK
Requiem (with the 6 Biblical Songs) Maria Stader / Siegline Wagner / Czech Philharmonic / Karel Ancerl [ Deutsche Grammophon / 2 CD - released 26/Mar/2000 ] "This superb DG set from 1959 brings an inspired performance of a work that can sound relatively conventional but which here emerges with fiery intensity, helped by a recording made in appropriately spacious acoustic that gives an illusion of an... |
CESAR FRANCK
Franck: Organ Works Marie-Claire Alain (organ) [ Erato Apex / 2 CD ] 1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1801-1850) - |
JOSEF HAYDN
Haydn: The Seasons (Complete oratorio) Marlis Petersen (soprano), Werner Gura (tenor), Dietrich Henschel (baritone), RIAS-Kammerchor, Freiburger Barockorchester, Rene Jacobs [ Harmonia Mundi Haydn Edition / 2 CD - released 1/Feb/2009 ] "The thrilling sound of the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra and Berlin's crack RIAS Chamber Choir make for a life-enhancing experience. The three soloists are superb; the whole set makes you wonder anew at the 67-year-old composer's creativity and... |
CAMILLE SAINT-SAENS
Saint-Saëns: Organ Symphony / Carnival of the Animals Martha Argerich (piano) Antonio Pappano (piano) Daniele Rossi (organ) / Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia [ Warner Classics / CD - released 25/Sep/2017 ] Martha Argerich and Antonio Pappano (as pianist rather than conductor) lead the fun in Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals with Members of the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. |
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto no 3 (coupled with Ravel-Piano Concerto in G) Martha Argerich (piano) / Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Claudio Abbado [ Deutsche Grammophon The Originals / CD - released 5/May/2000 ] "all done with the most engaging reckless abandon." (Gramophone) |
BRAHMS
Clarinet Works (Incls sonatas & trio) Martin Frost (clarinet) / Roland Pantinen (piano) / Torleif Thedaen (cello) [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Oct/2005 ] "Martin Fröst is as fine a clarinetist as anyone alive today, and he teams up with two equally superb colleagues in presenting exceptional performances of these three chestnuts of the chamber-music-with-winds repertoire...if you're looking for... |
