Favorite Classical CDs by NickVolos

If you made it this far down, you just discovered my favorite chart of all - a list of my favorite classical CDs. Most of these CDs are collections of multiple of the composer's works - in some cases spanning the whole lifetime of the composer - rather than individual works. The chart is sorted based on my favorite collection of a composer's work and not based on the performer(s) and/or conductor that interprets it. All selections are rated 100 as all represent the absolutely top most quality that music has to offer. Reverse this chart from 100 to 1 and the music in it remains beautifully perfect.

Member feedback is NOT allowed on this chart.

View the complete list of 53,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.

Share this chart
Collector's summaryLog in or register to discover the great albums that are missing from your music collection!
Sort by
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
The recording is superb, the playing excellent, and the quartets themselves are magnificent. Remember, Beethoven, his contemporary, said that Cherubini was the greatest living composer! Brahms revered him. (Bruce W. Moss, Amazon Customer Review)

Going on a sort of weeks-long Cherubini string quartet "binge", comparing complete sets of the composer's multi-movement numbered quartets, in the three integral performances of all of these works on record, gives rise to some observations about the music itself and the recorded renditions thereof. The works are enchanting and never-failing in inventiveness; it is hard to get those many quirky melodies, harmonies, incredible rhythmic vitality (in all of the parts, Cherubini's part-writing being so wonderfully vital and interesting for every instrument), tangy and/or odd harmonies, and clever (sometimes wonderfully strange yet utterly convincing!) modulations out of the head. Luigi Cherubini's string quartets, for those unfamiliar with works composed for Paris in the "quatuor concertant" manner, are quite distinct in style from the more familiar Viennese quartets of the composer's contemporaries Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Hummel. These works of Luigi Cherubini above all emphasise wit, rhythmic verve, and virtuousity alike in string playing and difficult ensemble unity; indeed, Cherubini composed all of his works for string quartet and for string quintet to feature the virtuoso quartet playing of the greatly skilled string players of Paris' best chamber ensembles of the first half of the 19th century. (Gerald Parker, Amazon Customer Review)
[First added to this chart: 11/13/2013]
Year of Release:
2003
Appears in:
Rank in 2003:
None
Rank in 2000s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
All 9 guitar quintets by Luigi Boccherini are most probably arrangements of other pieces he wrote. Some were originally for piano quintet, some are combinations of pieces for other instruments. Nevertheless they sound very "original", have a definite Spanish feel to them and make very enjoyable listening.

Of course two movements have become famous by themselves. There is the Fandango, the final movement of the fourth quintet with an unmistakable obviously Spanish rhythm. And the ninth quintet has the highly entertaining "La ritirata di Madrid, depicting Madrid at night. Luciano Berio liked it so much that he made an "arrangement" of it.

This is a new recording by La Magnifica Communitá. This ensemble is recording Boccherini's other quintets as well. They are here joined by guitarist Eros Roselli. (publisher notes)

If you're looking for a set of Luigi Boccherini's complete guitar quintets on original instruments, you need look no further than this splendid two-disc set by the wonderfully named string ensemble La Magnifica Comunità with the equally delightfully named guitarist Eros Roselli. And if you're not looking for a set of Boccherini's guitar quintets, why in heaven's name not? Each work is a sparkling gem with different dazzling surfaces from the D minor with its delectable Cantabile through the D major with its evocative Fandango to the C major with its well-known and well-loved "La Ritirada di Madrid." And every performance here is a winner. The Italian period-instrument string players are not as dry as their northern European counterparts and La Magnifica Comunità's tone and ensemble here hit just the right balance between sweet and tart. Guitarist Roselli has a light, firm touch with just a hint of vibrato to sustain the work's long, lyrical lines. Recorded in very atmospheric yet still quite clear sound in 2005, these discs will charm anyone interested in either chamber music of the classical period or, for that matter, chamber music from any period featuring the guitar. (allmusic.com)
[First added to this chart: 11/07/2013]
Year of Release:
2006
Appears in:
Rank in 2006:
None
Rank in 2000s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
Over a period of almost 30 years, Dvořák's output of chamber music was prolific and diverse, composing more than 40 works for ensembles with strings.
In 1860 just after he finished his education at the Organ school, Dvořák composed his String Quintet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 1. Two more would follow, of which the String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 77 from early 1875, is noteworthy for the use of a double bass. It was written for a chamber music competition sponsored by the Umělecká beseda (Artistic Circle), where it was unanimously awarded the prize of five ducats for the "distinction of theme, the technical skill in polyphonic composition, the mastery of form and the knowledge of the instruments" displayed.The String Quintet No.3 in E♭major, Op. 97, with a second viola added, was written near the end of his output for chamber ensemble during his American period in 1893, when he spent a summer holiday in Spillville, Iowa.
Within a year after completing his first string quintet, Dvořák completed his String Quartet No. 1 in A major, Op. 2, the first of his fourteen string quartets. Though his grasp of composition skills is better than in the previous quintet, Dvořák had difficulty in restraining himself, resulting in an over-long composition.[75] In the 1880s Dvořák made a list of compositions he had destroyed, which lists two quartets and 2 other quartets. He may well have destroyed the scores, but only after the instrumental parts had been copied out. The number of errors in the parts makes it highly unlikely that he actually had them played. The quartets numbered 2 to 4 were probably composed between 1868 and 1870 and show the strong influence of the music of Richard Wagner.[citation needed] Although Dvořák discarded these quartets, he saved an Andante religioso from his fourth quartet, to which he gave a new life five years later in his second string quintet Op. 77, as a second movement named Intermezzo: Nocturne, making this a five-movement composition. (more on wikipedia)
[First added to this chart: 11/07/2013]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
This volume of Sony/BMG's Original Jacket Collection compiles Arthur Rubinstein's stereo cycle of Chopin's solo piano music. Well regarded by most critics, these are some of the best selling classical recordings of all time.

It's no surprise that Sony/BMG would choose Rubinstein's last cycle of these works: recorded in stereo, they are easy to market to a generation accustomed to excellent sound. Rubinstein changed over time, he matured and mellowed, and by the time these recordings were made, he was already considered the elder statesman of Chopin interpreters. In general, his later approach is better suited to works like the Sonatas, but I prefer the spontaneity of his trailblazing 1930s versions of the Nocturnes, Mazurkas, and Scherzos, and the controlled fire of his 1950s set of Polonaises. There is one mono disc in this set, from 1946, including Rubinstein's first recording of the Sonata, Op 35, and his only version of the Preludes, Op. 28 - - neither of which show the pianist at his best. Rubinstein never recorded a complete set of Etudes, although he did record the Trois Nouvelles Etudes twice (the latter set is included here).

These recordings were originally issued as complete sets by genre, and Sony/BMG mostly follows the original programming concept (with the exception that the Mazurkas and Nocturnes are published on 2 CDs instead of 3 LPs). The original record covers are produced in miniaturized form, and the original liner notes are included. The sound is identical to BMG's 1999 complete Rubinstein reissue, which faithfully reproduces the pianist's distinct tone. If you already have those releases, there's little point in getting this set. But if you're new to Chopin or Rubinstein, this Original Jacket box is a worthy and classy investment. (Hank Drake, Amazon Customer Review)
[First added to this chart: 11/09/2013]
Year of Release:
2008
Appears in:
Rank Score:
54
Rank in 2008:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
This is a really good double CD of some of Albinoni's best music, very well performed by the invariably excellent Academy of Ancient Music under the Christopher Hogwood. This is rather underrated music, I think. It's certainly much more than the pleasant baroque wallpaper which many people think Albinoni to be. The adagio of Op.9 No.2, for example, is one of the loveliest movements I know in a baroque concerto. These are very fine performances, too, which bring out the verve, joy and sheer beauty of these concertos. Andrew Manze is always brilliant, but the oboists are also excellent. Frank de Bruine in particular has a lovely, flowing, effortless sound and I find that I prefer this set to my old CM90/Standage set with Anthony Robson, who by comparison seems a little plodding in his articulation and phrasing. It isn't surprising that Andrew Manze and Christopher Hogwood, two real giants of Baroque performance, should bring something special to these concerti and the playing of Frank de Bruine is a real bonus. It's a lovely set and very warmly recommended. (Sid Nuncius, Amazon Customer Review)

The quality of performance from Hogwood and company are flawless and near perfecton as usual. I can fully recomend this recording to fans of Albinoni or Baroque music in general. Andrew Manze is amazing and I hope these guys continue to record all the major works of Albinoni on period instruments. One thing besides the praise of this album is that both Op.7 and Op.9 have been recorded by Simon Standage and the Collegium Musicum 90 several years ago. Their performances are just as good and deserve just as much credit. Critics probably forgot to mention that this territory was in fact previously charted. (David Ohai, Amazon Customer Review)
[First added to this chart: 11/10/2013]
Year of Release:
1999
Appears in:
Rank in 1999:
None
Rank in 1990s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
The Handel organ concertos Op 4, HWV 289–294, refer to the six organ concertos for chamber organ and orchestra composed by George Frideric Handel in London between 1735 and 1736 and published in 1738 by the printing company of John Walsh. Written as interludes in performances of oratorios in Covent Garden, they were the first works of their kind for this combination of instruments and served as a model for later composers.

The Handel organ concertos Op 7, HWV 306–311, refer to the six organ concertos for organ and orchestra composed by George Frideric Handel in London between 1740 and 1751, published posthumously in 1761 by the printing company of John Walsh. They were written for performance during Handel's oratorios, contain almost entirely original material, including some of his most popular and inspired movements.
"A fine and delicate touch, a volant finger, and a ready delivery of passages the most difficult, are the praise of inferior artists: they were not noticed in Handel, whose excellencies were of a far superior kind; and his amazing command of the instrument, the fullness of his harmony, the grandeur and dignity of his style, the copiousness of his imagination, and the fertility of his invention were qualities that absorbed every inferior attainment. When he gave a concerto, his method in general was to introduce it with a voluntary movement on the diapasons, which stole on the ear in a slow and solemn progression; the harmony close wrought, and as full as could possibly be expressed; the passages concatenated with stupendous art, the whole at the same time being perfectly intelligible, and carrying the appearance of great simplicity. This kind of prelude was succeeded by the concerto itself, which he executed with a degree of spirit and firmness that no one ever pretended to equal." (Sir John Hawkins, General History of the Science and Practice of Music. 1776) (wikipedia)
[First added to this chart: 11/08/2013]
Year of Release:
1984
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2
Rank in 1984:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
A persuasive interpretation of Felix Mendelssohn's complete string quartet repertoire is provided by the Coull Quartet. These renditions are energetic, full of romantic charm and still maintains appropriate depth. Attention to fine detail with awareness of harmonic texture and development are also attributes. A tonally well balanced digital sound reproduction is supplied throughout, which is resonant and consistently lifelike. A highly significant and engaging release all round. (Mrs T Brown "Teresa", Amazon.co.uk Customer Review) [First added to this chart: 11/10/2013]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank in 1994:
None
Rank in 1990s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
A rare treat: no less than 7 CD's with instrumental chamber music by Henry Purcell. In spite of his past and present international fame too little attention has been paid to this part of his oeuvre. This collection offers a great variety: from 'the Staircase overture' to voluntaries for organ.

Henry Purcell's present fame is mainly based on some dramatic works -- Dido and Aeneas -, his anthems and numerous songs. In his relatively short life he managed to compose in every genre usual at the time. Well hidden among a vast amount of vocal music lies a relatively small collection of chamber music pieces.

Together with Handel Henry Purcell was and is England's most important baroque composer. He was also an organist and as such left behind remarkable little for his instrument. Pieter-Jan Belder - the keyboard player who also recorded the complete Scarlatti sonatas - combined this with Purcell's varied music for harpsichord, which includes eight suites.

Here (together with) his ensemble Musica Amphion (he) also performs the bulk of Purcell's chamber music: listen and enjoy. (publisher notes)
[First added to this chart: 11/11/2013]
Year of Release:
2008
Appears in:
Rank in 2008:
None
Rank in 2000s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
There are a few things that make the music of Telemann so addictive. First of all is the melodic quality of it - there just doesn't seem to be a single wasted or excessive note. Many composers can wrap their main themes with a lot of filler notes, or what I like to call "extended noodlings". Not Telemann. Everything is a melody from start to finish. Listen to "Solo in A Major - II. Vivace" as a prefect example of the melodic drive of Telemann's music.

Then there is the orchestrations in the music. I was a music composition and arranging major in college so I'm pretty cognizant of the orchestration of any music I hear. Telemann owns orchestration! I'm amazed every time I listen to his music just how deep and rich in textures his music is. Telemann blends wind instruments and strings in such a unique way. I don't believe that any other composer sounds like him. I fully enjoy Vivaldi's music, but many times I'll hear something and won't be sure if it is Vivaldi or another composer - not so with Telemann. "Concerto in A - Mvt.2", "Suite in B flat", "Suite in E minor - II. Rejouissance" or "Quartet in G - Mvt. 2" are just a few recommended orchestration examples I can throw out for your consideration.

This box set is a lot of Telemann for the money and the playing and recording quality is top notch. Telemann used a lot of different musical styles within the Tafelmusik collection. Suites, trios, quartets, concertos and solos are all featured - there is a lot of variety for your ears.

While this is probably the crown jewel of Telemann's work and the best place to start if you are new to Telemann it is by far nowhere near a complete representation of Telemann's work. Telemann is noted as being one of the (if not the) most prolific composers with something to the effect of 3,000 works! While this box set just might be my all time favorite classical music recording, I also recommend seeking out other Telemann recordings (after you buy this one first, of course). (BrentH, Amazon Customer Review)
[First added to this chart: 11/16/2013]
Year of Release:
2004
Appears in:
Rank in 2004:
None
Rank in 2000s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • #Sponsored
Most musicologists consider Paganini to be the greatest violinist the world has ever known. He essentially created techniques for his instrument that were unheard of before him, and to this day, his compositions define the technical limitations of the violin. In essence, he was the first virtuoso of any instrument. He made Liszt want to make the piano sound like his violin and made others so jealous of his abilities that they said he was possesed. Paganini is a paragon of the 19th century Romantic virtuoso. Unfortunately, his violin concertos have not received the same attention as his brilliant technical gifts and his famous cappricios. What one finds on these 3 cd's is perhaps some of the most wonderful, and dramatically challenging pieces ever written for the violin. In fact, Schubert admired Paganini's compositional abilities so much that he once said that Paganini's compositions made the violin sing like an angel. These cd's show that Paganini was more than just a technical wizard. He created beautiful violin concertos that stand up musically on their own. The pure joy and brilliance of these pieces will astonish you. Salvatore Accardo's playing is flawless and simply mind boggling! I have found myself enjoying and playing these 6 concerti far more often than violin concerti by Beethoven, Mozart, etc., etc. It was only until the 1970's when any of Paganini's 6 violin concerti were recorded on a major label! Paganini is slowy gaining more popularity and is destined to get the respect he deserves in musical history as a first rate composer thanks to releases like this one. Now, when will the concert halls of Europe and America wake up and start performing Paganini's music? I predict that once you here these recordings, you will realize that it is just a matter of time. After all, this music once completely dazzled and entranced audiances all across Europe and made Paganini famous and much respeted.-----NO CLASSICAL LIBRARY SHOULD BE WITHOUT THIS RECORDING. (A Customer, Amazon Customer Review) [First added to this chart: 12/27/2013]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank in 1986:
None
Rank in 1980s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 27. Page 2 of 3

Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!

Favorite Classical CDs composition

Decade Albums %


1930s 0 0%
1940s 0 0%
1950s 1 4%
1960s 0 0%
1970s 3 11%
1980s 3 11%
1990s 8 30%
2000s 12 44%
2010s 0 0%
2020s 0 0%
Country Albums %


United Kingdom 9 33%
France 3 11%
United States 3 11%
Netherlands 2 7%
Mixed Nationality 2 7%
Austria 2 7%
Sweden 1 4%
Show all
Compilation? Albums %
No 3 11%
Yes 24 89%

Favorite Classical CDs chart changes

Favorite Classical CDs similarity to your chart(s)


Not a member? Registering is quick, easy and FREE!


Why register?


Register now - it only takes a moment!

Lost Treasures / Unknown Pleasures by NickVolos (2020)
Genre Favorites #2: Jazz Fusion by NickVolos (2014)
Favorite Rock CDs Collection, Pt. 1 by NickVolos (2014)
Favorite Rock CDs Collection, Pt. 2 by NickVolos (2014)
Favorite Rock CDs Collection, Pt. 3 by NickVolos (2014)
Favorite Jazz CDs by NickVolos (2014)
The Perfect Collection 1 of 3 by NickVolos (2013)
The Perfect Collection 2 of 3 by NickVolos (2013)
The Perfect Collection 3 of 3 by NickVolos (2013)
Best of the Psychedelic 60's by NickVolos (2014)
Genre Favorites #1: Krautrock by NickVolos (2014)
Controversial Covers by NickVolos (2013)
100 Greatest Music Albums, Pt. 2 by NickVolos (2014)
100 Greatest Music Albums, Pt. 3 by NickVolos (2014)
Greek Pop/Rock Albums by NickVolos (2016)
Listening Queue by NickVolos (2014)
Genre Favorites #3: Electric Blues by NickVolos (2014)
Karate is not... martial arts... by NickVolos (2014)
Genre Favorites #4: Garage Rock by NickVolos (2014)
Genre Favorites #6: Pub Rock by NickVolos (2014)
Genre Favorites #5: Power Pop by NickVolos (2015)
Favorite Live Albums by NickVolos (2020)
Albums That I Added to BEA (partial list) by NickVolos (2016)
J.J. Cale by NickVolos (2014)
Vinyl Collection, Pt. 1 by NickVolos (2017)
Vinyl Collection, Pt. 2 by NickVolos (2017)
Vinyl Collection, Pt. 4 by NickVolos (2017)
Favorite Triple Albums by NickVolos (2017)
Favorite Private Presses by NickVolos (2015)
Vinyl Collection, Pt. 5 by NickVolos (2017)
Albums That I Added to BEA, Pt. 2 by NickVolos (2016)
Self-Paintings on Album Covers by NickVolos (2015)
Albums That I Added to BEA, Pt. 3 by NickVolos (2017)
Albums That I Added to BEA, Pt. 4 by NickVolos (2024)
Albums That I Added to BEA, Pt. 5 by NickVolos (2018)
Albums That I Added to BEA, Pt. 6 by NickVolos (2020)
All things Go-Betweens - Favorite Albums by NickVolos (2021)
Best Ever Albums
1. OK Computer by Radiohead
2. The Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
3. Abbey Road by The Beatles
4. Revolver by The Beatles
5. Kid A by Radiohead
6. In Rainbows by Radiohead
7. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
8. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles
9. The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars by David Bowie
10. The Velvet Underground & Nico by The Velvet Underground & Nico
11. Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys
12. Untitled (Led Zeppelin IV) by Led Zeppelin
13. The Beatles (The White Album) by The Beatles
14. Nevermind by Nirvana
15. Funeral by Arcade Fire
16. In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
17. The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
18. Doolittle by Pixies
19. To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
20. London Calling by The Clash
Back to Top