Chopin+Pollini: 12 études op.25

What a delicious CD. It flows glowing. Soft, virtuous, precise.
This is CD #7 in the Maurizio Pollini edition box set.

See this post on Pollini's interpretation of Brahms to see another superb recording.

Deutsche Grammophon page.

Maurizio Pollini, Fréderic Chopin (1810-1849). Deutsche Grammophon 1972(études), 1985(sonata), 1991(Berceuse). 

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
12 Études		op.25		Ab: Allegro sostenuto Fm: Presto F: Allegro Am: Agitato Em: Vivace G#m: Allegro C#m: Lento Db: Vivace Gb: Allegro assai Bm: Allegro con fuoco Am: Lento - Allegro con brio Cm: Molto allegro con fuoco
Piano Sonata no.2	Bbm	op.35		Grave - Doppio movimento Scherzo Marche funèbre. Lento-attacca Finale. Presto
Berceuse	Db	op.57

Bruno Walter: Beethoven & Mahler

This is the rare Volume 2 for Grammofono 2000's "His First Recordings in America for Columbia". Bruno Walter conducts the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. And he plays the piano in "Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit" for Desi Halban, soprano.

I really enjoyed Mahler's Symphony no. 5 with Walter, as compared to Claudio Abbado's. I think Walter's is how it was intended... much more subtle, playful, serene (of course, his closeness to Mahler must have played a key role in his interpretation). While Abbado's gives it a cinematographic touch, very much with the grandiosity used in incidental music, Walter's is more situated, theatrical... less lights and more imagination. The comparison would be similar to Hollywood productions today vs. Hollywood productions from the 50's.
Regardless, both are worth listening to. Enjoy particularly the fifth movement of Mahler Symphony No. 5.

Beethoven's Eroica is very expressive, especially with his use of dynamics.

Link to Amazon's page for this CD set: Beethoven: Symphony No. 3; Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Disc 1: Beethoven
Symphony No.3	Eb	Op.55 Columbia M449	Jan. 1941	Eroica
Disc 2: Mahler
Symphony No.5	C#m	Columbia SL 171	Feb.10,1947
Selection from "Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit" for Voice and Piano(1880-1890)		Columbia SL 171	Desi Halban, soprano Bruno Walter, Piano Dec. 16, 1947	I.Frühlingsmorgen (Leander) II. Erinnerung (Leander) III. Hans und Grethe (Mahler) VII. Ich ging mit Lust durch einen grünen Wald (*) IX. Starke Einbildungskraft (*) XI. Ablösung im Sommer (*) XII. Scheiden und Meiden (*) XIII. Nicht wiedersehen (*)

Joan Sutherland: Best Recordings

It is astonishingly beautiful. Her precision, emotion, and plasticity are amazing. I can never hear enough of the virtuosity riquired by Lucia di Lammermoor.

Handel — Alcina

1. Dí, cor mio quanto t'amai

Bellini — Norma

2. Casta Diva
3. Fine al rito — Ah! Bello, a me ritorna
4. Oh, rimembranza
5. Deh! Con te
6. Mira, o Norma
7. Si, fino all'ore

Händel — Alcina

8. Oh Ruggiero... Ombre Pallide

Verdi — La Traviata

9. É strano! Ah, fors'è lui

Donizetti — Lucia di Lammermoor

10. Regnava nel silenzio quando rapita in estasi
11. Il docle suono ardon gl'incensi
12. Spargi d'amaro pianto

Brahms: Sonatas for Cello & Piano (Op. 38,99,108)

Beautiful 1991 Sony Classical recording of Yo-Yo Ma (cello) and Emanuel Ax (piano). This CD is full with so many emotions and states. From competing lines, to quiet listening of the other instrument, to merging melody and support, all three sonatas are beautiful and interesting.
I particularly enjoy the Allegro vivace of the Sonata in F, and the ending of its last movement (allegro molto)
Noteworthy about this CD is that it holds Yo-yo- Ma's early recordings, which are known to be of more sensibility than later recordings.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Sonata for Cello and Piano	Em	Op.38
Sonata for Cello and Piano	F	Op.99
Sonata for Violin and Piano	Dm	Op.108		originally for violin, here for the Cello

Schubert: 24 Lieder

Beautiful short varied pieces, with Schwarzkopf's expressiveness and precision.
Elizabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano) accompanied on the piano by Edwin Fischer(3-14), Gerald Moore (1,2 & 15-22), and Geoffrey Parsons (23 & 24). I have to say that my favorite version for (8) is with Gerald Moore, unfortunately I have not yet found it with Schwarzkopf (in fact I do not even know if they recorded it together).

1. Die Vögel
2. Liebhaber in allen Gestalten
3. An die Musik
4. Im Frühling
5. Wehmut
6. Ganymed
7. Das Lied im Grünen
8. Gretchen am Spinnrade
9. Nähe des Geliebten
10. Die junge Nonne
11. An Silvia
12. Auf dem Wasser zu singen
13. Nachtviolen
14. Der Musensohn
15. Litanei
16. Ungeduld
17. Heidenröslein
18. Der Jüngling an der Quelle
19. Der Einsame
20. Die Forelle
21. Liebe schwärmt aug allen Wegen
22. Seligkeit
23. An mein Klavier
24. Erlkönig

Mozart: Piano Concertos, II-8, KV 466 & KV 482

Beautiful way to return. Brilliant's Vol.2 CD8, Piano Concerto No. 20 and 22.
Soft yet vigorous interpretation, with a small Orchestra for better degustation. What lyricism in the piano line of KV482, accompanied by the flute for emphasis on a light-hearted interpretation. The theme of the 3rd movement is just so catchy, that it makes it one of the best works to involve children in classical music.
Derek Han, piano. Paul Freeman directs the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Piano Concerto No. 20	Dm	KV 466
Piano Concerto No. 22	Eb	KV 482

Mahler: Symphony No. 5 (Abbado)

After a long drought of listening to nothing, I listened again to Gustav Mahler's Symphonie Nr. 5. It took many several times to begin to appreciate it. I have to say that I am neither impressed nor inspired. But finally I can recognize the wide spectrum of emotions and scenes. From the barren fields of the first part, to the epic reunion in the third part. Both, the first movement, has a very somber theme, and the fifth one, has a light-hearted one, making an interesting transition.
Claudio Abbado directs the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 1981
Edit: I have listened to this once more, many months later. I do like it better now. I can even say that I was awaiting to. Acoustic memory sure plays a huge role to taste (esp. in laymen, I suppose). The themes are strong and resounding.

Erster Teil

1. Trauermarsch.

In gemessenem Schritt. Streng. Wie ein Kondukt

2. Stürmisch bewegt.

Mit größer Vehemenz

Zweiter Teil

3.Scherzo

Kräftig, nicht zu schnell

Dritter Teil

4.Adagietto

Sehr langsam

5.Rondo-Finale

Allegro - Allegro giocoso. Frisch