Barrett Reynolds writes:

>Anyway, I suppose the first question I'd like to pose to this group
>is, what pieces comprise your absolute musical zenith?

With the conditions that taste changes over time and I've likely omitted
many works out of forgetfulness, here's my list:

Bach: Well Tempered Clavier, Goldberg Variations, and the organ works in
general.

Beethoven: Hammerklavier Sonata, Cello Sonatas Nos.1/2, Symphonies Nos.
7 and 9.

Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Piano Sonata in B
minor, clarinet sonatas, clarinet quintet, violin sonatas.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique.

Chopin: Piano Sonata in B minor, Preludes, Barcarolle, and Fantaisie in
F minor.

Debussy: Etudes for Piano

Hindemith: Ludus Tonalis

Haydn: Late Piano sonatas

Bruhns: Anything you can find on organ.

Dvorak: String Quartets.

Janacek: The Two String Quartets.

Liszt: Annees de Peleriange.

Mahler: Das Lied and 4th Symphony.

Granados: Goyescas.

Mozart: Piano Concertos nos. 17 thru 24, Magic Flute, and Mass in C minor.

Prokofiev: Classical Symphony and war-time piano sonatas.

Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit.

Schubert: Piano Sonata D.959.

Schumann: Piano Concerto, Davidsbundlertanze.

Scriabin: Etudes

Shostakovich: Preludes Op.34, Preludes & Fugues Op.87, String Quartets,
and Symphonies Nos. 10 & 15.

Stravinsky: Petroushka.

Tchaikovsky: Romeo & Juliet.

Finzi - Clarinet Concerto.

Weber - Chamber works for clarinet.

Zemlinsky - String Quartets.

I welcome Barrett to the List, and I must say that his writing skills
are top-notch.  My only advice is to not just follow the mainstream and
load up exclusively on orchestral works.

Don Satz
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