budafulmusic

I love listening to music. Listening again and again to other composers’ music is what gives me that “next great idea” for my own compositions. In this post I’d like to showcase some of my personal favorites. There are many great recordings out there and my personal tastes will most likely change and mature over time but as of now I would like to share some of what I think are some of the best recordings available today and I’ll limit myself to 10. It could easily rise to 40.

Yes, I listen to a large variety of music but these recordings here are what I come back to and appreciate even more each time for their aesthetic beauty and masterful craftsmanship.

1. (Conducted by Robert Shaw) One word: Incredibly awesome! Anything more would fail to do these two masterpieces justice. Glorious!

2. Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (Composer John Williams) This odd addition of a soundtrack may seem out of place here but in terms of being enjoyable and wonderful music, it is one of the finest in the world of soundtracks. There are some very fine moments all throughout the score, especially in the finale.

3. Mass In B Minor (J.S. Bach) This 2 hour+ staple of the choral literature is simply put, one of the most gorgeous pieces of music ever written. Bach wrote the mass throughout his life and later brought it together as a whole shortly before his death. Places of special note are the Kyrie (gorgeous fugue) and the last section’s of Dona Nobis Pacem.

4. The Complete Piano Concertos (Sergei Rachmaninoff, recorded by the LSO) As a pianist, I love exiting piano music. What could be better than piano then? Piano with orchestra!

5. Symphony No. 2 in E minor, “The Rock” Fantasy op. 7 (Sergei Rachmaninoff) In my opinion, one of the most haunting melodies can be found in Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Symphony. The Rock is the icing on the cake.

6. John Williams: The Ultimate Guitar Collection (Performed by John Williams, classical guitarist) This double disc recording by John Williams (not to be confused with the a fore mentioned film composer) is an great find for a broad range of music lovers. Full of a variety of styles ranging from baroque and classical to blues and movie music; it also varies in performance from the simple guitar solo to the full orchestra and guitar. As it’s title suggests, this album should be the first place to turn for a first classical guitar recording.

7. Choral Masterpieces (conducted by Robert Shaw) One might think that I am partial to Shaw’s recordings. I am. Robert Shaw knows just what is needed for each piece of music that he directs. This anthology of sacred choral works is a very well put together combination of classic choral music.

8. Cinema Serenade 2: The Golden Age (The Boston Pops conducted by John Williams, performed by Itzhak Perlman) Sublime. Excellent music to just sit back and revel in. I have many of these tracks on my study/background playlist.

9. Bernstien Favorites: Orchestral Dances (The New York Philharmonic conducted by Leonard Bernstien) This rousing anthology of classical and modern dances is thoroughly thought out and is very enjoyable to listen to.

10. Gloria: The Sacred Music of John Rutter (Cambridge Singers conducted by John Rutter) Perhaps no all-time favorites list would be complete without an entry of John Rutter. This is my favorite recording by him. Some of my earliest memories as a child recall listening to this cassete tape (remember those? ) in the car on the way to church. From the first Gloria to the last amen in The Lord Bless You and Keep You, this is one of Rutter’s best.