[Tweaker]

I've always enjoyed classical and orchestral music but have just recently "discovered" chamber music. One of the things I appreciate about it is that compared to a symphony orchestra, where all of the instruments playing at the same time can create a bit of a homogeneous sound, with a small ensemble one can really appreciate, for example, how extraordinary a cello sounds.
So... if anyone can recommend some good chamber music recordings I would be most grateful.

[lonewolfny42]

Here's a list from Amazon.....might be helpful.

Also....check out Naxos for good music at budget prices - you can experiment without breaking the bank.

And....this years Grammy winner in Best Chamber Music Performance...

[Tweaker]

Thanks, that's a great start. The Amazon link is indeed especially helpful. Lots of exploring to do!
I mostly listen to jazz which my wife likes OK but really doesn't inspire her to want to sit with me and listen. However, she says she loves chamber music so hopefully this will encourage her to spend more time listening with me, which I would enjoy.

[lonewolfny42]

Another two here........and here...

[Russell Dawkins]

great links, as usual, Lonewolf. Thanks 

[lonewolfny42]

great links, as usual, Lonewolf. Thanks 

Thanks Russell....
Now since you record Classical music, do you have any recommendations for Tweaker ?

                                             Chris

[Russell Dawkins]

well, I am enjoying at the moment listening to a very good cellist (Colin Carr) playing a Bach Cello Suite
http://tinyurl.com/3ygjqn
thanks to the second of your links which led to the Isabella Gardner Museum site with a wealth of great quality downloads of performances and concerts recorded live in their Tapestry Room:
http://www.gardnermuseum.org/music/library.asp

Half hour ago I was enjoying a really good performance of Beethoven's  Sonata No.14 in C-sharp minor, Op.27, No.2 ("Moonlight") by Gleb Ivanov, from the same site.
http://www.gardnermuseum.org/music/artist/ivanov.asp

I've heard this a lot, there being a bit of a history of it in my family. My dad played the first movement better than the vast majority of concert pianists I've heard, but that is absolutely all he could play on the piano, period! He fixed up a ruined piano in a barn in Holland (I think) during the Second World War, then he basically figured it out note by note from the music which was on the piano. He was not taught how to read music, but between seeing the notes on the page and having a basic understanding and a good memory of the piece, he worked it out on this piano.

He used to play it at parties when I was young, but got tired of explaining to incredulous listeners that that was really all he knew!

It was unbelievable how well he played this, but Gleb Ivanov is easily as good - maybe a teeny bit better!

[Tweaker]

Thanks for the links Russell, (and of course, Lonewolf).
That's a great story about your dad!

[JohnR]

Art of Fugue, Juillard String Quartet

[geezer]

with a small ensemble one can really appreciate, for example, how extraordinary a cello sounds.

Tweaker: I love chamber music as well. If you like the cello, I strongly recommend the Bach suites for cello done by Janos Starker. The music is great and the recording is superb.

You might also like the quartets by Beethoven; my favorites are his first five done by the Vermeer quartet.
Geezer

[capo]

I love anything by the Beaux Arts Trio.

The line-up that included Bernard Greenhouse and Isidore Cohen is no more, but I have many fond memories of their live concerts.  Founding member Menahem Pressler is in the latest version of the trio, however.

[mjosef]

This is good, just released on the hyperion label.

Vivaldi cello concertos with Jonathan Cohen on cello. Have been playing this almost every day for the past week or two since I got it.

[goldlizsts]

I've always enjoyed classical and orchestral music .......................

Just came across this column, thought I'd throw in a bone - a question/request.  Years ago, on WQXR, the classical radio of the NY Times in NYC, I used to listen here and there in the evening.  There was this program that used as its theme Mozart's A Little Night Music's Romanza movement, played by "only" the 4 basic instruments, Violin, Cello, Viola and Bass (the program came on usually around 9 pm I think, say 20 years ago).  It had such a serenity that it truly was my favorite.  However, I never tried to find out 'til much later as to who made that recording.  When I did contact WQXR, nobody there could help me.  I have been searching for a recording of just the 4 basic instruments rather than an expanded chamber ensemble.  Does anyone know that particular piece, or have a recommendation (with just a quartet)?