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.
- Chart updated: 02/09/2015 13:15
- (Created: 11/07/2013 04:43).
- Chart size: 27 albums.
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This 4-CD set contains Mozart's most monumental (and last) quartets, including the six quartets dedicated to his dear friend and colleage Joseph Haydn, the lone "Hoffmeister quartet" and the last "Prussian" quartets. All are masterpieces of the genre, especially the "Haydn's" which Mozart (uncharacteristically) toiled long and carefully to compose out of respect and admiration for his elder friend. Upon hearing these performed, Haydn pronounced to Mozart's father the now-famous quote about young Mozart being the greatest composer he knew in person or by reputation. As the pioneer of the modern quartet, Haydn knew great quartet writing when he heard it and he was right - these turned out to be among Mozart's greatest chamber works. (the quintets perhaps being the only greater works).
The Austrian Alban Berg Quartet executes these quartets with their characteristic and supreme suppleness, precision and elegance. "Polished" is a common description I see concerning their style. The music here sounds really, really great - for the perfectly honed compositions of Mozart to the impeccable performances of the Berg to the clear, vibrant sound quality. I normally favor the Quatuor Mosaiques for quartets, but here for Mozart's quartets, I think The Alban Berg Quartet is hard to beat. Indeed, this is what Penguin Guide concluded who awarded this set with a "Recommended Recording" and described it as "one of the most distinguised sets of the late quartets that has not been surpassed." What also makes this set so valuable is that it contains the last three quartets in addition to the Haydn Quartets - an obvious but not so common coupling. So, all the above factors make this set highly desirable and a fabulous value. (Alan Lekan, Amazon Customer Review) [First added to this chart: 11/12/2013]
The Austrian Alban Berg Quartet executes these quartets with their characteristic and supreme suppleness, precision and elegance. "Polished" is a common description I see concerning their style. The music here sounds really, really great - for the perfectly honed compositions of Mozart to the impeccable performances of the Berg to the clear, vibrant sound quality. I normally favor the Quatuor Mosaiques for quartets, but here for Mozart's quartets, I think The Alban Berg Quartet is hard to beat. Indeed, this is what Penguin Guide concluded who awarded this set with a "Recommended Recording" and described it as "one of the most distinguised sets of the late quartets that has not been surpassed." What also makes this set so valuable is that it contains the last three quartets in addition to the Haydn Quartets - an obvious but not so common coupling. So, all the above factors make this set highly desirable and a fabulous value. (Alan Lekan, Amazon Customer Review) [First added to this chart: 11/12/2013]
Year of Release:
1991
Appears in:
Rank in 1991:
None
Rank in 1990s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
0Total albums: 1. Page 1 of 1
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Favorite Classical CDs composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| 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% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Trevor Pinnock / The English Concert | 3 | 11% | |
| Aldo Ciccolini | 2 | 7% | |
| Musica Amphion / Pieter-Jan Belder | 2 | 7% | |
| Chapelle Du Roi & Alistair Dixon | 1 | 4% | |
| Hausmusik London | 1 | 4% | |
| Ronald Brautigam / Riccardo Chailly | 1 | 4% | |
| La Magnifica Comunità / Eros Roselli | 1 | 4% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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|
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9 | 33% | |
| |
3 | 11% | |
 |
3 | 11% | |
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2 | 7% | |
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2 | 7% | |
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2 | 7% | |
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1 | 4% | |
| Show all | |||
Favorite Classical CDs chart changes
| New entries |
|---|
 Debussy: L'Oeuvre Pour Pianoby Aldo Ciccolini |
Favorite Classical CDs similarity to your chart(s)
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