While I’m not a reviewer of recordings, I do have some recordings that I do especially like. This week’s program of works by Mozart and Richard Strauss is one of my favorite of this season, and so I want to share some of my favorite recordings of the week’s program with you.
A short and sweet list of my favorites, with links to purchase at arkivemusic.com (for physical cd’s), and at amazon.com (for mp3’s).
Strauss: Four Last Songs
Felicity Lott, soprano; Neeme Järvi conducting the Scottish National Orchestra (Chandos 10075).
The recording that started it all for me. This particular album includes most of the other songs for soprano and orchestra in addition to the Four Last Songs. Highly recommended.
- Arkivemusic (cd and mp3)
- Amazon.com (cd and mp3)
Strauss: Death & Transfiguration
Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic (DG 410892)
This is an incredible recording of both orchestral virtuosity and compelling musicality. Worth it for the searing recording of Metamorphosen alone, but having D&T as a coupling makes for a fabulous disc.
- Arkivemusic (cd only)
- Amazon (cd and mp3)
If you’re interested in a Karajan/Berlin set of all the Strauss orchestral works, there is an excellent budget-priced set from DG that looks excellent at the price of $32.99 for five cd’s ($24.99 on Amazon).
- Arkivemusic (cd only)
- Amazon (cd and mp3)
Mozart: Serenade No. 9 in D major, K. 320
Claudio Abaddo and the Berlin Philharmonic (Sony 48385)
- Arkivemusic (cd only)
- Amazon (cd only)
A nice marrying of historical performance influences with modern instruments.
If you prefer a more historically-informed version on period instruments, then this looks like a good bet:
Roger Norrington and the Stuttgardt Radio Symphony Orchestra (Hänssler Classic 93213)
- Arkivemusic (cd and mp3)
- Amazon (cd and mp3)