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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