Best recordings of all time ...

[SplatterTone]

I don't know how it rates now, but when Mahler 2 with Rattle/CBSO came out, it literally became the standard by which all others were compared. When reading a review of another performance, it was very likely that it would be compared to this one. The 1988 Peguin Guide gave it a rosette and has it at the top of the list.
http://tinyurl.com/6aodo9

Maybe not deserving of "best of all time" status, but for something off the beaten path ...
The 1985 recording of Janacek's Glagolitic Mass done by Mackerras/Czech Philharmonic Orchestra on Supraphon label received top reviews when it came out. It was among the first ten CDs I bought when decided to get on the CD bandwagon. Stereo Review gave it a best of the month. The 1988 Penguin Guide gives it 3 stars which is their highest rating short of a rosette. It might be out of print, but there are three listed on Amazon's used stuff.
http://tinyurl.com/5jmtud

This recording of Murray Perahia playing Handel and Scarlatti is genuine whupass good.
http://tinyurl.com/5fksms

Of course, Quadrophenia deserves a hallowed place in any music collector's heart.

[SplatterTone]

Those who are reasonably familiar with organ music know of the Fantasy and Fugue on the chorale Ad nos, ad salutarem undam by Franz Liszt. You can usually refer to it simply as the Liszt ad nos, and they will know of which you speak. This is a real ball buster of a piece that few organists can ever hope to master (although Virgil Fox could play it from memory while balancing his check book). I have three recordings of it by Simon Prestion, Zsuzsa Elekes, and what I think is the best by Hans Fagius.

Although the Fagius recording was done back in the vinyl LP (which I have) days around 1980, it was released on CD and is still available. I think that speaks well of the performance -- extremely well, actually. Here is an Amazon link to it.
http://tinyurl.com/5mkoh6
I think this is a wonderful recording and performance.

Of possible interest to organ buffs is that the organ, the history of which dates back to 1759, is at the Katarina Church, Stockholm. The organ and church were destroyed by fire in 1990, so this recording is probably one of the few (perhaps only?) remaining of the organ.

Here is an interesting link (with additional links) to the project to build a new organ for the new church. There are lots of pictures with descriptions. The amount of mahogany in the 32-foot Bourdon pedal pipes is awe inspiring.
http://vandenheuvel-orgelbouw.nl/instruments/katarina/Frameset_katarina.htm

[jtuba]

Any votes for the San Francisco recordings done with Blomstedt and Tilson Thomas? Neilsen 4, Hindemith Mathis and Sym Metamorphosis, Sibelius 2 under Blomstedt. Klagende Lied and Romeo and Juliet under Tilson Thomas. Haven't heard the newer Tilson Thomas stuff because I can't bring myself to spend more than $25 for a SACD hybrid I don't have the equipment to play.

[TexTuba]

Ok, slightly off topic, but is there a recording of Carmina Burana that anyone recommends more than others?

Yes!

London Philharmonic Orchestra/Franz Welzer-Most

Trust me, you will NOT be dissapointed!!!

[Nick Pierce]

Ok, slightly off topic, but is there a recording of Carmina Burana that anyone recommends more than others?

Yes!

London Philharmonic Orchestra/Franz Welzer-Most

Trust me, you will NOT be dissapointed!!!

Thanks, will do.

[christopher_]

I haven't heard multiple recordings of many works -- can't really afford to, I'm only 15 and am too busy with school / tuba to have a job -- but Furtwängler's 1942 recording of Beethoven's 9th is absolutely spellbinding. It's almost too much to handle for me most days. I save it for when I'm in dire need of a taste of the sublime. It eclipses even the great Toscanini, van Beinum and Mengelberg recordings. The finale is like the whole of heaven crumbling down.

Gergeiv's Le sacre du printemps / Le Poème de l'extase is ridiculous, too.

Jordi Savall / Hesperion XX's take on Bach's Die Kunst der Fuge. Makes everything else sound like children's music, really.

I love the disc of Feldman's The Viola in My Life conducted by the composer himself; he even takes to the piano on my favorite rendition of Why Patterns?

Claudio Arrau is my favorite pianist for any Chopin. He sniffles a lot though, someone give this man a handkerchief.

I snatch up any Arditti Quartet disc I see in the used classical section at the record store.

Rzewski plays Rzewski...

I'll stop there before I end up namedropping 500 discs.

[ztuba]

Zubin Mehta NY Phil ... Mahler 5

[TubaJEM]

Minnesota Orchestra, Eiji Oue, Pictures, Douglas Wright on euphonium, best Bydlo I've ever heard.

[tubaguy9]

I just heard an incredible live recording from 1954(?) of the BSO playing "Pines of Rome". You could almost hear the feet of the legions marching triumphantly into the city. I'm wondering what are IYHO the best ever recordings of:
Brahms Requiem
Vaughan Williams Sea Symphony
Feel free to add your favorite pieces, but don't to forget to mention the recording (orchestra, year, etc.). DVDs, CDs, Tapes & LP's accepted. 8-tracks est verboten!

In my opinion...
Brahms Requiem can't be harnessed on a CD. You have to see it live. There's rumbles from different instruments and hair raising moments that don't happen on CD.

[Tuba Guy]

We're performing it next month or so if anyone is interested in the Brahms. I tried getting the tuba player in the symphony (my private teacher) to call in sick, but he refused, so I'll be up there in the choir singing (b)ass...oh wait, that's just what my intonation sounds like while singing...

[tuben]

Ok, slightly off topic, but is there a recording of Carmina Burana that anyone recommends more than others?

Boston & Ozawa.... a young Schmitz....

RC

[Atlanta Tuba Dad]

I have been told by someone who should know that the ASO's recording of CB is a great one, too.