A little drumroll please:

Shostakovich Preludes & Fugues, Opus 87 - For me, this work epitomizes
the irony, bleakness, horror, and group oriented stupidity of communist
economic/social systems.  Nikolayeva on Hyperion gets it just right with
a recorded sound that's perfect for the music.

Hindemith's Ludus Tonalis - A harder nut to crack than the Shostakovich
but loaded with emotional messages.  Try out Richter on Pyramid.

Mahler's Das Lied - The most effective  work of any period blending voice
and the life cycle.  Giulini on DG is very good.

Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto - A perfect example of supreme late
romantic concerto composition.  Kocsis on Philips is my favorite.

Stravinsky's Petrouchka - No last "rites" for this guy.  I much prefer
Petrouchka and consider it the best ballet music of any time period.

Don Satz
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