What's a good label for orchestral\classical music?

nathanm · « **on:** 24 May 2003, 03:32 am »

I will never be a classical music scholar, those guys use musicky codes to name their songs! Ack!

But if I hear some classical piece I like I never know which disc to get. There's inevitably about 300 different versions of it recorded by every orchestra from here to eternity. If it's at a store I will end up getting the version with the best cover art, but this doesn't always work.

Is there a way I could narrow down my choices? Some certain label that puts out the best sounding stuff? Right now I'm looking for some Prokofiev 'Romeo & Juliet Suite No. 2' which I heard on this Royer Labs microphone demo CD which is heavy as fuck, but there's no indication of it being a separate commerical release. (no other info on the Royer site)

Any clues?

dogberry · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 May 2003, 04:12 am »

Naxos is excellent, and they're not expensive at all. Usually $6 or $7 a CD. They're not necessarily the best versions (that's a whole 'nother debate), but out of the 25 or CDs I have, I think they're just peachy keen!

Columbia has a fine history of putting out excellent classical recordings.

Tyson · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 May 2003, 04:49 am »

The penguin guide to compact disks is a good guide for specific rec's on different works. I used it to help build my "basic" classical library, and I'm still happy with most of their recs, even though I've branched out signifigantly since then.

Naxos is pretty good a lot of the time. I noticed that Virgin now is selling some discs as 2cd sets for around 11 bucks. Most of the ones I've sampled have been good to great.

Also, check your library, you can check them out for free, and many cities have an on-line library database where you can issue "hold" requests for specific CD's, and if you have a cd burner, lets just say you don't ever have to check out that CD again. . .

Hantra · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 May 2003, 05:10 am »

If you can find anything you like on Reference Recordings, go for it. You won't be sorry. . .

Try Rutter's Requiem on RR. . .

B

skchow · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 May 2003, 08:02 am »

I tend to gravitate towards Telarc myself. The newer DG's are okay also.

Sunny.

U4EA · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 May 2003, 04:55 pm »

Quote from: skchow

I tend to gravitate towards Telarc myself. The newer DG's are okay also.

.

I second Telarc. Deutsche Gramaphone is excellent too.

JohnR · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 May 2003, 05:06 pm »

May depend on your tastes... I like baroque, labels that I seem to have numbers of would include Harmonia Mundi, Archiv, Channel Islands, Wild Boar (from Berkeley). But there's loads of others, Naxos too.

You could probably do worse than searching for the piece on Amazon and reading the customer reviews.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 May 2003, 01:12 am »

Naxos has gotten a lot of respect from the classical cognicenti; they don't have the "big names," but very good musicians and great recording quality. Their catalog is huge, and maybe best of all if you're just getting into classical, the discs are cheap. Everything but the special projects (eg, Naxos historical) are $6-$7 each. As Naxos' president says, at their prices you aren't really taking a chance.

PeteG · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 May 2003, 06:16 am »

I would go with Naxos to, they have a good selection. Also
I like EMI classics, Arte Nova classics.

Obie · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 May 2003, 04:50 pm »

For good sonics and performances with integrity, I suggest nosing around for stuff on Proprius or Carus, or any one of a hundred other small labels. You might pay a little more for the disc, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Best,
Kris Johnson

BikeWNC · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 May 2003, 04:58 pm »

Check out these recommendations from NPR.

http://www.npr.org/programs/pt/features/pt50.html

Andy