Best Classical to "broaden" listening arena?

I definitely agree with Uru975 on trying out a few things on Pandora first. It's a good way to narrow down a style. I used to play trombone, guitar, and piano and was exposed to different composers/styles through the other players in the bands/orchestras/small ensembles in which I played. Pandora could help you get a well-rounded exposure, and THEN you can hunt down the best recordings of things you like.

I'd start by deciding if you want solo piano, small groups, chamber orchestra, or full on symphonies. One of my favorite symphonies is Dimitri Shostakovich's 5th. I'd get Leonard Berstein with the New York Philharmonic. It ranges from light to heavy, so it should give you a broad introduction.

First, start with the following CD: Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits

It's not a perfect recording, but there's a great chance that you're familiar with almost all of the songs and the cover will even tell you where you have heard it in the past (i.e. commercials, etc.). I find that I enjoy music a lot more when it's familiar.

Second, I would suggest getting a few of the Jacques Loussier Trio CDs because they are classical music performed in a jazz style that I suspect you'll enjoy. I'd recommend The Four Seasons and The Brandenburgs, both are favorites in my collection.

Finally, I would suggest starting with smaller groups or concertos. I'm a huge fan of the violin. Here are a few suggestions:

(1) Lara St. John - Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Piazzolla: The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires [Hybrid SACD]

(2) David Garrett - Pure Classics

(3) David Garrett - Tchaikovsky Conus: Violin Concertos

(4) Ning Feng - Solo

(5) Ning Feng - Paganini: Hello Mr. Paganini

(6) Regina Carter - Paganini: After a Dream (this is more jazz than classical, but you'll love it)

David Garrett also has several crossover/rock CDs that are excellent.

Ning Feng is probably my favorite violin player because he makes the absolute most difficult pieces musical in a way that I have not heard anyone else match. His music is very technical so that may not appeal to you, but the recommened CDs are fantastic recordings.

Among the composers who IMO should be on your initial short list, I would add Schubert, Chopin, Dvorak, and Schumann to those already suggested in Ojgalli's post. If opera may be of interest, Puccini. From the earlier Baroque period, Telemann and Handel. And for some fun stuff, that can often show off a high quality system to good advantage, try some music from the even earlier Renaissance period.

I would also suggest giving preference to recordings produced on labels that are recognized for consistently good sound quality. A lot of excellent musical material that has been put out over the years by the major labels is sonically ruined by excessive multi-mic'ing and processing, which may prove to be particularly discouraging during your initial explorations.

I have found the following labels to have provided excellent sounding recordings with a high degree of consistency, although unfortunately a number of them no longer exist:

Accent
Astree
Audiofon
Chesky
Dorian
Harmonia Mundi France
Hyperion
Lyrinx
M&K Realtime
Mercury Living Presence re-issues
North Star
Pierre Verany
Proprius
Reference Recordings
Sheffield Labs
Syrinx
Telarc (many are excellent; some will be disappointing)
Valois
Wilson Audio

Enjoy!

-- Al

If you have a public library near you, most let you check out classical music cd's and see what you are drawn to.

Go to Amazon or other music sites and sample their music. The sites also will suggest similar works and what other people liked as well. It is free and you will get to hear 30 second clips to wet your whistle. (check out Frederick Fennell conducts Leroy Anderson @Amazon)!

Compilation/Sampler CDs from Chesky, Telarc, Reference Recordings etc, are also an easy way to get excellent quality at a fair price. HD tracks lets you hear first as well.