All of the sudden I have become very interested in the Pre-Beethoven composers. It started with Bach's Mass In B-Minor (Gardiner) and moved on some of Haydn's symphonies (Sir Colin Davis). Beyond that all I have is whatever Mozart and Bach shows up on the Living Stereo releases.

So any classical period or even earlier stuff you could recommend would be wonderful. I'm looking for specific recording recommendations, rather then "get mozart's 40th" type recommendations.

Here is a small wish list I've compiled from various sources:

Amazon.com: Jack Johnson: Classical Period

Thanks!

kinda broad question Could you narrow down things to solo, chamber, orchestra, opera, etc?

Here's a token recommendation:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/J-S-Bach-Sonatas-Partitas-1001-1006/dp/B00097HE8U/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1246227869&sr=8-3]Amazon.com: J.S. Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, BWV 1001-1006: Johann Sebastian Bach, Julia Fischer: Music[/ame]

The Starker performance of Bach Cello Sonatas that you have on your list already is, in my opinion, the best classical performance ever recorded. Make sure you get the SACD version even if you can't play SACDs (it's a hybrid disc so you're covered either way); I heard there are some issues with the CD version.

For the Haydn string quartets, I recommend any of the Quatuor Mosaiques recordings.

The current fascination is chamber music, but pretty much any non-opera is fair game.

Broad, I know, but really just looking for whatever is on your minds at the moment.

You probably have a recording of The Four Seasons already but my reference rendition is the one by Ozawa, Silverstein, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It's nothing special in terms of sound quality however.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Schubert-Piano-Alternative-Movement-Video/dp/B0000503W5/ref=sr_1_3]Amazon.com: Schubert: Piano Trio, Op. 100 (with Alternative Movement) [Video DVD]: Franz Schubert, Trio Italiano: Movies & TV[/ame]

24/96, + one of my more favorite performances of it, and easily my favorite piece of chamber music ever.

Of course, Schubert was a contemporary of Beethoven rather than pre-Beethoven. Good music though.

Not exactly your time frame, but stunning music and even a better recording.

Raymond Agoult conducts the London Proms Orchestra - Debussy: Claire de Lune 45RPM 4 Disc Set, Vinyl Records at SoundStage Direct Vinyl Records

Of course, Schubert was a contemporary of Beethoven rather than pre-Beethoven. Good music though.

Well, (a) he already had some Schubert on his list, and ( he was talking about chamber music, and I consider Schubert to be the king of chamber music, so I thought it was a safe suggestion. It also doesn't sound as romantic as much post-Beethoven composers do, so still "sounds" pre-Beethoven.

Thanks for all the recommendations. There is indeed Schubert on my amazon list, but it shares a disc with Mozart.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Schubert-Piano-Quintet-Mozart-Clarinet/dp/B00000275O/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I251RYKYRLO4Y0&colid=22YBORMDR1443]Amazon.com: Schubert: Piano Quintet "Trout"; Mozart: Clarinet Quintet: Julius Levine, Leslie Parnas, Harold Wright, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Rudolf Serkin, Philipp Naegele, Samuel Rhodes [viola], Alexander Schneider [violin], Isidore [/ame]

This was from Ted Libbey's Top Ten Starter Classical CDs list, from his "NPR Guide to Building a Classical CD Collection".

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/NPR-Guide-Building-Classical-Collection/dp/0761104879/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246235905&sr=8-3]Amazon.com: The NPR Guide to Building a Classical CD Collection : The 350 Essential Works: Ted Libbey: Books[/ame]

I don't know enough about classical music to critique his selections, but I have just LOVED reading this book, and haven't been disappointed in anything I've purchased as a result of his recommendations.

I think you all have already figured this, but all formats are welcome: plain ole' CD, any hi-rez format, and vinyl.

Edited June 29, 200917 yr by postjack

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Telemann-Twelve-Fantasias-Gulliver-Violins/dp/B0000007EP/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top]Amazon.com: Telemann: Twelve Fantasias for Violin Solo; Gulliver Suite for Two Violins: Georg Philipp Telemann, Andrew Manze, Caroline Balding: Music[/ame]

The Cleveland Quartet Beethoven Box Set, but particularly the "Razumovsky" Quartets:

http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/albums/Beethoven-Quartet-In-B-flat-Major-Quartet-In-F-Maj/

Edited June 29, 200917 yr by luvdunhill

Hey Jack,

I don't know much about classical, but if I come across something that I think may interest you I'll send it to you.

Unfortunately I'm out of the office most of the month, I'll be in my office one day this month, I'll see what I can find.

Thanks Jack for starting this thread. I'll be stealing all your recommendations