“My Favorite Records”

List courtesy of John Adams.

From Saturday Review, May 28, 1949:

BACH, Suite No. 2. Koussevitsky conducting the Boston Symphony.

BEETHOVEN, Quartet, Opus 95. Budapest Quartet.

BEETHOVEN, “Abscheulicher” aria (“Fidelio”). Frida Leider.

BERG, “Suite Lyrique.” Galimir Quartet.

BERLIOZ, Requiem. Emile Passani Choir.

BERLIOZ, “L’Absence” and “Le Spectre de la Rose.” Teyte.

GLUCK, Overture, “Iphigénie en Aulide.” Erich Kleiber conducting the Vienna Philharmonic.

MOZART, Piano Concerto in A. K.488. Arthur Rubinstein.

PURCELL, “Trumpet Voluntary.” Harty conducting the Hallé Orchestra.

STRAUSS, “Till Eulenspiegel.” Richard Strauss conducting the Berlin State opera Orchestra.

VARÈSE, “Ionisation.” Slonimsky leading a percussion ensemble.

WEBER, Overture, “Oberon.” Schuricht conducting the Berlin Philharmonic.

Note: The Gluck disc was an “author’s proof” gift from Erich Kleiber.