HutchFan

I'm with Larry on Pollini's recordings of Schubert's late piano sonatas. I return to them more often than any of Pollini's other recordings. I think they're extraordinary. OTOH, for me, Pollini's Chopin is just too objective, too "steely." Just my preference, of course. I much prefer Rubinstein, Moravec, Michelangeli, et al. NP: JS Bach: The Art of the Fugue / Hermann Scherchen, Vienna SO, et al. Scherchen made these arrangements. They're not at all HIP, but they are supremely musical.

From Berio to the Temps! I love it. It's all ONE thing.

Abdullah Ibrahim - Banyana: Children of Africa (Enja) What a magical record! I have loved this music for years. But right at this moment, as I sit in the airport in Istanbul on my journey from one side of the globe to the other, already exhausted and loopy from travel, the music seems even GREATER -- hallucinatory, transcendent, like earth shifting beneath my feet. What a trip!!! (And I'm not talking about airplanes or pharmaceuticals.) Ibrahim, McBee & Brooks are carrying me away on a magic carpet ride, friends!!!! Whoooeeeee.

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 7 / Ormandy, Philadelphia O (Sony)

Hermann Scherchen - The Nixa Recordings (Tahra) CD 2 - Hector Berlioz: Harold in Italy / Royal PO, Frederick Riddle (viola)

Al Haig - Serendipity (Interplay CD, Japanese import with 3 bonus tracks)

Excellent! NP:

Again: Mahler: Symphony No. 3 / Rafael Kubelik, Bavarian Radio SO (DG)

The DBQ - 25th Anniversary Reunion (A&M Horizon)

Rachmaninov: Preludes / Ashkenazy

Yes, Dutoit's Ravel recordings with the OSM are ravishing. I'm still on my Mahler kick. Today's listening: Mahler: Symphony No. 1 / Bernstein, Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam (DG) Mahler: Symphony No. 4 / Abravanel, Utah SO (Vanguard Classics) Netania Davrath was such a marvelous singer. And a perfect voice for this work.

Can't get enough of the M5 lately. This is another stellar recording of the work, imho: Mahler: Symphony No. 5 / Bernstein, Vienna PO (DG)

Mahler: The Complete Works, 150th Anniversary Edition (Warner Classics)Symphony No. 5 / Klaus Tennstedt, London Philharmonic Orchestra (live recording)

Al Haig - Ornithology (Progressive) with Jamil Nasser & Frank Gant; recorded 1977 I've really been enjoying Al Haig's music lately.

Some more Mahler favorites: Mahler: The Complete Works, 150th Anniversary Edition (Warner Classics) Symphony No. 6 / Sir John Barbirolli, New Philharmonia Orchestra Bruno Walter Conducts Mahler (Sony) Symphony No. 9 / Columbia Symphony Orchestra I first heard Walter's M9 on Columbia "Odyssey" budget LPs: Most of the Odyssey LP covers seemed like they were afterthoughts. But I think this one was interesting.

Continuing my Mahler mini-bender with: Mahler: Symphony No. 3 / Rafael Kubelik, Bavarian Radio SO (DG) Kubelik's studio recording of the Third Symphony is my favorite M3.

More Mahler: Mahler: Symphony No. 5 / Rafael Kubelik, Bavarian Radio SO (Audite) This superb live recording from '81 is my "reference" M5.

Yes, it's an excellent performance of the Seventh. I would probably choose the Third as my favorite performance in Levine's set. The Fourth is very strong too. IMO, these three works are Levine's most convincing performances.

James Levine Conducts Mahler (RCA/Sony) Disc 4: Symphony No. 7 / Chicago SO

More Al Haig: Al Haig Trio - Invitation (Spotlite)

Al Haig - A Portrait of Bud Powell (Interplay) Trio with Jamil Nasser and Frank Gant; recorded 1977