VC DESERT ISLAND DOWNLOADS | Orpheus Chamber Orchestra's Todd Phillips - '5 Recordings I Can’t Live Without'

The Violin Channel recently caught up with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra violinist Todd Phillips – for a fun game of VC Desert Island Downloads

The Violin Channel recently caught up with long time Orpheus Chamber Orchestra violinist Todd Phillips – for a fun game of VC Desert Island Downloads.

We sat him down to pick his brain on which 5 CD recordings he would take with him to a deserted island – and how the tracks have helped shape him as a musician.

1. Schubert 'Winterreise' - with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau & Daniel Barenboim

''The emotional impact and beauty of this song cycle is of course devastating. Listening to Fischer-Dieskau sing it is a never ending lesson in phrasing, articulation, variety of tone, harmonic awareness, and organic music-making.''

Shubert Winterreise

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Baritone

Daniel Barenboim, Piano

Label: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date: January 22, 2013

2. Beethoven's Late Piano Sonatas Op.109, 110, 111 - with pianist Artur Schnabel

''Schnabel's glowing tone and profound musicianship are mesmerizing, particularly in the slow movements. My mother studied with a Schnabel student so this was the gold standard growing up in our household.''

Schnabel Plays Beethoven Vol. 5

Artur Schnabel, Piano

Beethoven opus 101, 106, 109, 110, 111

Label: Pearl

Release Date: February 28, 1995

3. Mozart's 6 Quartets (Dedicated to Haydn) - as played by the Budapest String Quartet

''The matchless elegance and sincerity of the Budapest Quartet were pivotal in turning me on to quartet playing. Two members of the quartet, Alexander Schneider and his brother, Mischa Schneider, were among my dearest mentors.''

Mozart - The Six Quartets Dedicated to Haydn

Budapest String Quartet

Label: Columbia Masterworks

Release Date: 1953

4. Fritz Kreisler's short original compositions (Liebesleid, Liebesfreud, Caprice Viennois etc)

''Kreisler had such a unique way of playing the violin which always spoke to me in such a direct way. Honest, noble, and oh so human!''

Fritz Kreisler, Favourite Short Pieces 1926-38

Fritz Kreisler, violin

Carl Lamson and Franz Rupp, piano

Label: Biddulph Records

Release Date: July 12, 2019

5. Beethoven's 'Missa Solemnis' - Robert Shaw & the Atlanta Symphony and Chorus

''Shaw had an extraordinary ability to elicit a beautiful clarity and flexibility from his chorus singers. The piece as a whole is one that I am still in the dizzying process of wrapping my head around. I am stunned by its incredible complexity and emotional scope.''

Missa Solemnis / Great Mass in C minor

Beethoven - Mozart

Robert Shaw, Conductor

Atlanta Symphonic Orchestra & Choir

Label: Telarc

Release Date: October 25, 1990