Interesting. I might like to read this one. I'm definitely not as thoroughly steeped in the technicalities of classical music as I would like, but I have always found Mozart and Vivaldi to be infinitely more approachable than most. But also - for me - my preferences have always been for chamber music and smaller pieces/orchestration.
Full orchestras can be fine, it depends entirely on the piece. I acquired Kemplerer conducting Beethoven's 9th, IIRC it was the Berlin Philharmonic recorded in the late '50s. Some consider it a definitive recording of that particular symphony and it is amazingly good (except for some unfortunate mike placement where the timpani obliterate a particular passage, I believe in the second movement?). Anyway, all depends on the piece.
no subject
Full orchestras can be fine, it depends entirely on the piece. I acquired Kemplerer conducting Beethoven's 9th, IIRC it was the Berlin Philharmonic recorded in the late '50s. Some consider it a definitive recording of that particular symphony and it is amazingly good (except for some unfortunate mike placement where the timpani obliterate a particular passage, I believe in the second movement?). Anyway, all depends on the piece.