Top Ten Compositions of the 19th Century for 2008

This is at least as hard as the 20th Century, but here goes:

Beethoven – Complete Symphonies; Bruno Walter (1940s-50s cycle; United Archives)

Beethoven – Complete Piano Sonatas; Annie Fischer (Hungaroton) [I’ll just count them all]

Beethoven – String Quartets; Prazak Quartet (Praga)

Beethoven – Violin Sonatas; Jumppanen / Cerovsek (Claves)

Schumann – Complete Symphonies; Daniel Barenboim (Teldec)

Schubert – Select Piano Sonatas; Christian Zacharias (EMI)

Chopin – Scherzos; Ivo Pogorelich (DG)

Brahms – Symphonies; Rafael Kubelik (Orfeo)

Dvorak – Symphonies; Rafael Kubelik (DG)

Mahler – Symphony 1; Boulez (DG)

OK, I'm a sucker for punishment : ) Of any period, the 19th century really defines who I am. The music, art, literature, ideals etc. have the greatest attraction to me personally. I would say Chopin is the center point and you can include the next 100 years forward or go back maybe 150 years and that pretty much covers it all for me.

I also find that if I like a composer I want to hear, play, study, and understand them and their offering to the world, as completely as I can. Therefore, I'd recommend pretty much anything from Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Grieg, Brahms, Albeniz, Dvorak, Faure, Franck, Smetana, Chausson, Tchaikovsky and anyone else in this period. (see 20th century thread for some more)

Solo Piano:
Frederic Chopin: 24 Preludes (#8, 16, 24)
Frederic Chopin: Etudes, Op. 25, #12
Franz Liszt: Transcendental Studies: Chasse-neige
Franz Liszt: Harmonies poetiques et religieuses - Benediction de Dieu dans la solitude
Franz Schubert: Wandererfantasie
Ludwig van Beethoven: 32 Variations in c-
Isaac Albeniz: Iberia, Book 3 - El Albaicin
Robert Schumann: Bunte Blatter, Opus 99 - Praeludium
Robert Schumann: Davidsbundlertanze, Op. 6
Johannes Brahms: Intermezzi Op. 118

Chamber:
Anton Arensky: Piano Trios
Ernest Chausson: Concert in D major
Ernest Chausson: Piano trio in G minor
Johannes Brahms: Piano Trios
Johannes Brahms: Piano Quartets
Antonin Dvorak: Piano Quintet in A major, op. 81
Ludwig van Beethoven: Cello Sonatas, Violin Sonatas, Piano Trios
Franz Schubert: Piano Trios
Peter Tchaikovsky: Trio for Piano, violin and Violoncello in a minor, op. 50
Cesar Franck: Violin (or Cello) Sonata in A major


Just scratching the surface again : ( Haven't even got to Concerti, symphonic, lieder, Opera.....

Their is such a treasure trove of music though in this period.

Florestan has some really great choices,some overlooked gems. I would add the Brahms Ballads Op 10. Amazing that he wrote these when he was 20 years old and right after his friend and mentor R Schumann had just drowned himself. Also from Brahms, the Piano Quartet in F minor Op34. One of the great masterpieces in any medium. For Liszt I would take the Petrach Sonata 104 and the Ballade in B minor (preferably in Arrau's recording) and about 978 other works...


DMC

quote:

Originally posted by DMC:
I would add the Brahms Ballads Op 10. Amazing that he wrote these when he was 20 years old and right after his friend and mentor R Schumann had just drowned himself.
DMC...

glenn gould does a great job with the brahms ballads, beliveve it or not ...

quote:

glenn gould does a great job with the brahms ballads, beliveve it or not ...

I guess I can believe you. His favorite composer was reportedly Richard Strauss (!!).

Kempf isn't to shabby in this music either (the Brahms, I mean).


DMC

quote:

Originally posted by DMC:
His favorite composer was reportedly Richard Strauss (!!).

DMC

incredible !!