Outstanding Recordings of the Greatest Orchestral Music Ever Written

This list is an attempt at a consensus view of the greatest orchestral works ever written. Many will find the list too short.
Few should find anything on the list that does not belong.

When some works on a recording are not in the Greatest category, they are shown in parentheses. When works are not only
great but also popular, they are so identified. This should help the beginner pick works that they are most likely to enjoy.

This list was developed with two purposes in mind:
First, to provide a guide to superior recordings of the greatest music for the novice classical music listener.
Second, to provide the classical music aficionado with a list of exceptional recordings. If you are an aficionado, you probably
should have every recording on this list, even if you already have another excellent recording of the same work.

You can purchase any CD listed by clicking on the recording which will link you to that item on ArkivMusic.com. If a link does
not work, please let us know. Record companies have a despicable practice of dropping even the best recordings.

The letters G, P, or I indicate that this recording has been recommended by Gramophone, Penguin Guide to Compact Discs,
or The Insiders Guide to Classical Recordings.