From the Home Page an archive of past Featured Recordings.
Featured Recording
I do not usually recommend large classical box sets because they are expensive and not always a good buy. However the new '111 Box' by Deutsche Grammophon is a fantastic buy. The set is a 55-CD Box of full albums from DG's first 111 years. The set is a wonderful buy at less than $3 per disc. Yes, a bit expensive, but this is an excellent way to get a lot of great recordings for a bargain price. DG has set up a special site at dg-11.com with all of the information on the albums, and Amazon has a nice page where you can see and listen to samples from the MP3 version. Do check out the dg-111.com site, where you can listen to a full album from the collection every week. If a 55 disc set is too daunting, there is a 6 disc set with one track from each of the albums in the 111 set, plus other tracks for a great price too.
Featured Recording
I sometimes come across some good finds while exploring for new works to try out. There is a free Creative Commons MP3 version of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice from 1951 with the Berlin Municipal Opera conducted by Artur Rother. I did find reference to an excerpts LP on DG from the period, and this is may be a studio or live performance, released in the US on the Urania label in 1952, but I cannot say for certain. Regardless, the cast includes Margatete Klose as Orfeo [female lead replacing castrato], Erna Berger as Euridice and Rita Streich as Amor. The recording is mono of course, but the performance is quite enjoyable and the sound quality acceptable, and it is a good way to be introduced to Gluck's operas.
Now the good part: You can get this recording for free. It has been released online in several locations, but the easiest place is here at Liber.it The page is in Italian, but no problem, scroll to the bottom and you will see the 24 tracks to download. Make sure you right-click to save the files since your browser may try to just play the MP3s. You may want a libretto or at least a synopsis, so check out the links below.
Librettos [under Gluck; ORFEO]
Synopsis at reference.com
MP3 download from Liber.it
Now the good part: You can get this recording for free. It has been released online in several locations, but the easiest place is here at Liber.it The page is in Italian, but no problem, scroll to the bottom and you will see the 24 tracks to download. Make sure you right-click to save the files since your browser may try to just play the MP3s. You may want a libretto or at least a synopsis, so check out the links below.
Librettos [under Gluck; ORFEO]
Synopsis at reference.com
MP3 download from Liber.it
Artwork for the Excerpts LP and a recent CD release:
Liszt Rhapsodies
Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic in an excellent disc of 6 Liszt 'Hungarian Rhapsodies' arranged for orchestra.
On CD or MP3 Album.
Mozart String Quintets
Philips Trio has packaged Mozart's compete String Quintets featuring the Grumiaux Trio with guests in a great 3CD set. These are about the best set of these works you can find, and at a bargain price, and the MP3 version is an even better buy.