Fabienne Jacquinot with the Westminster Symphony Orchestra

D'Indy: Symphony on a French Mountain Air
Saint Saens: Piano Concerto No. 5 in F, Op. 103, "The Egyptian"

This is not an audiophile copy, pretty scratchy, but that doesn't bug me, at least.
I like "Symphony on a French Mountain Air," but I only ever listen to the Saint Saens side, and like most of his work I've heard, this piece is quite beautiful and wonderfully crafted. An early morning favorite, sounds great with the sounds of brewing coffee and frying eggs.

http://www.mediafire.com/?fuurmrrwy6qbydf

Debussy- La Mer/Iberia

La Mer- Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos
Iberia- The Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy

Two great performances of two great pieces by one great composer on one scratchy record.

http://www.mediafire.com/?9ihed7qmjo55257

Clara Rockmore- Theremin

Big thanks to my friend Mark for loaning me this record. As the owner of a Theremin, I've never been able to produce any better than a bunch of shitty, squealing sci-fi noise...at best the sound of a flying saucer landing in a 50's B-movie. If the aliens were classically trained in whatever their equivalent was to a violin, and they made a record with an Earth pianist, it might sound like this.
Rather than blather on, I urge you to watch the videos posted below to see how oddly hypnotic Clara Rockmore is.
A note on the recording: there is some serious dynamic range going on here, near inaudible to red-lining in no time. Just play loud. I'm assuming your neighbors already think you're weird anyway.

http://www.mediafire.com/?hlqokhtmk3guxx2

Camille Saint-Saens

Violin Concerto No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 61
Introduction And Rondo Capriccioso, Op.28
Havanaise, Op. 83

Pierre Amoyal- Violin
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Vernon Handley- Conductor

from liners notes:
"Saint-Saens worked in every genre, always aiming for and cherishing formal and stylistic perfection. He was like an engraver in love with beauty, or a meticulous watchmaker, and his admirable example in this direction was followed devotedly by Maurice Ravel. Admittedly he was no tormented soul and it would be useless to look for signs of inner conflict in his music such as are found in Beethoven's. The aim of his music is elegance of melodic line and architectural beauty. Saint-Saens's model is pure classical beauty and his art is an idealizing and spiritualizing one."
"Difficulties are sneered at by those who cannot overcome them. Virtuosity is triumphant in all the arts..."

A very stuffy way of saying this is some wonderfully crafted, beautiful music.

http://www.mediafire.com/?2f8u27zbsg9uvu8

Pablo Casals and Rudolf Serkin- Beethoven Sonatas For 'Cello and Piano

This record is in pretty rough shape (does have one brief series of skips), but aside from how great the music is, I also love this recording. It seems far more informal to me, like an intimate live performance, complete with occasional ambient sounds and through headphones you can hear them talking, (maybe giving signals?) making it sound like they're there in the room with you, but the scratchyness of the record creates sonic antiquity and a degree of separation.
An imperfect copy of a great recording of great performances of great compositions.

http://www.mediafire.com/?vy4r5lafg7clb8z

Eugene Chadbourne- German Country and Western (Bach Sonata and Partita #1 for Violin Adapted for 5-String Banjo)

What can I say about this? It's just what I would think in respects of Bach and Chadbourne. Dignified and out there is equal measure. Appalachian Bavaria?
I imagine this would be great background reading music for Gunter Grass, or doing anything else for that matter.
If you can make out the liner notes (click on the picture) please be sure to read them.

http://www.mediafire.com/?dgs5k4kvwkcxpb0


http://www.mediafire.com/?dgs5k4kvwkcxpb0

Hallelujah: The Portsmouth Sinfonia at the Royal Albert Hall

A perfect title for the unholy cacophony unleashed by the Sinfonia live at the Royal Albert Hall, of all places. Comes off more like a comedy record than an evening of classical favorites.
In its own way, this is a "top notch" live recording.
Ever wonder why Brian Eno isn't better known for his chops on the clarinet?
On this blog I try to post a wide array of records providing any kind non-professional mess to help you unwind, forget, and just laugh. This one is no exception.

http://www.mediafire.com/?d8ty82n8222197v

Portsmouth Sinfonia Plays The Popular Classics

This will make the Guckenheimer Sour Kraut Band post below sound, well, almost professional.
What do you think it would sound like if a bunch of non-musicians formed an orchestra and played some well know classical music (I'm thinking the King Uszniewicz of classical)?
Also, Brian Eno is one of the clarinet players. You can see him in the upper right hand side of the cover.
If you find classical music too formal or stuffy, the Portsmouth Sinfonia does more than just take the wind out of its' sails.

http://www.mediafire.com/?kwkstnlmm5sbkd1

Ulysse & Jacques Delecluse- The Clarinet Volume 1

I'm surprised that this is just a demonstration record for Selmer Clarinets. I love small ensembles in classical music, and this one is only clarinet and piano. Very enjoyable.
Do you want to buy a Selmer Clarinet yet?

http://www.mediafire.com/?78k09rkk97dqlkl

George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra- Schumann Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op. 61

I really have trouble getting into more recent classical recordings, therefore the Habitat Restore has become my #1 stop for classical music...old $1 records.
This was my introduction to Schumann, and quite a good one at that. The quality of the vinyl isn't the best, but it's all worth it if just for the Third Movement alone.

http://www.mediafire.com/?50atmwae6s5kw82

Pierre Fournier & Ernest Lush- Cello Encores

I found this going to the free shelf (AKA crap-pile) at an old used media store where I used to work and made me, finally, be able to get into some classical music.
I came to realize that I'm just not into big bombastic symphonies. I much prefer the small ensemble, like this one...just a cello and a piano. To me it is much more effective (I left off side one of the record, with its big symphony and less interesting music).
This is great for moody, sombre, introspective, and/or gloomy (not always, though) times.
Brevity also works for those who aren't sure if they like classical or not...a good place to start...or continue.

http://www.mediafire.com/?grmj4bzne5y