I need a Classical CD to hear just how good my system is

CDI.
What do you mean:"I prefer a melodic sound not too harsh".

The Planets Suite By Gustav Holst is VERY dynamic and has some wonderful tunes. I use it for auditioning HiFi. It has some wonderfully dramatic moments as well as quiet achingly beautiful bits. Turn the volume up and it will blow you away. If you want Mozart then symphony no.40 could be a good start. Also Beethoven's 9th or Stravinsky's Right of Spring will blow your socks off. You can 'search' for any of these works here for recommendations of particular recordings.

If you are not a regular classical afficianado and like strong melody you could listen to Rachmaninov - lush, melodic and romantic. Symphony No. 2 is the most accessible. Or how about the second piano concerto?
Steve

I would recommend Scheherazade - Rimsky-Korsakov.

It is full a very dramatic melodies. It also tests a system well with a great range of dynamics, from powerful percussion through to gentle solo violin.

M

I agree with the above posts, just heard the Planets in concert it was wonderful, and Scheherizade last year. Both engaging works. I think any rocker would also like Beethoven's 5th (I did when I heard it in a music class) and 7th is a fun romp. Stravinsky is wild with Petrushka and what's not to like about the Rite of Spring, wild orgiastic music with virgin sacrifice as its finale.... The French rioted upone first hearing it performed. Anything to riot about is worth hearing.

Christoph Eschenbach's Ondine recording of Mahler's 6th is in as good a sound as is available, and you'll get to hear the dynamic range of your system. Seiji Ozawa's recent Bartok disc - Concerto for Orchestra & Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta - is also in superb sound. Both offer good or better performances.

Those may be "harsh," so Andrew Manze's excellent recording of three of Mozart's violin concertos may hit the spot, too.

--

Dear CDi,

May I point you to one specific and charming recording? The New Year's Day Concert of 1979.

The music making by the conductor-less VPO is Roll-Royce, and Music will please 90% of the people who might be subjected to listening, and will probably appeal to you as well. Strauss familly extravaganza!

It is on Decca [two CDs, in the Classic Sound series], and even includes, in startling fashion, a real old 19th. century musket in "At The Hunt!" I will not spoil just exactly what happens!! If that does not show your set off nothing will! It also countains the shortest of little speeches by Willy Boskowsky [leader], which is not boosted up in the recording, and is a real test of low level replay! And all good clean fun.

ATB from Fredrik

My preferred test disc is Schuberts octet recorded on EMI reflexe label by Hausmusik.
This disc is truly demonstration class quality, no other disc I have has put my system to such rigorous testing. I is an absolute marvel. The problem however, is that I understand it has been deleted..BUT WAIT! I have recently purchased another copy from Amazon and there were still a few left.
For what its worth my system
CDS3 with 555PS, 552, Stax Omega II, SBL's soon to be Neat MFS.
Disc details: Schubert Oktet Hausmusik CDC 754118 2

Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, the St. Louis Symphony under Leonard Slatkin on RCA Red Seal. Great dynamics, well recorded. Sylvia McNair's soprano solos will make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end if the system is cooking. Some purists would say the piece is a little light weight, but I think it is a great introduction to classical music for someone not previously familiar with the genre. Definitely will not put you to sleep, particularly if you read the libretto as you listen along.

Norman

Not exactly classical, but I really like the boogie of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Pandora #289 469 139-2 has Leonard Bernstein at the piano and conducting the LA Philharmonic.

quote:

... and fancy hearing a good classical CD that will extend my system (mid / top end Naim)

interesting way of putting it "extend my system"? i am not sure what you mean, but i would have thought this would actually extend your musical landscape.

i am no expert on classical music, but i suggest piano music -- it will probably test your system to the limit. you cant go wrong with some works by "Sviatoslav Teofilovich Richter". also schubert's vocal stuff is very good - try "die schone mullerin" for example.

enjoy
ken