Break in period for albums.?

Although not related to vinyl, that is a fairly common occurrence for me. Some of my favorite albums were very so so with the first few listenings. Then over time as I was drawn into the music and what the artist was saying/doing I understood and could appreciate the album. There are probably quite a few cds sitting on my shelf that if I put away after one listen. If I spent some time with they would probably show themselves as real jewels.

Something similar happens when people start listening to classical music in general. They all start out with the mainstream often played compositions by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Handel, Haydn.

Over time they branch out Brahms, Dvorak, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, etc, etc.

They eventually get involved in listening to more complex compositions. No one I know started out in classical, listening to Mahler, Bruckner, Bartok, Schonberg, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, etc.

happened to me more than once. Bartok's string quartets, Prokofiev's "The Gambler" and Schoenberg's violin concerto were most recent. usually the music that "grows" on you is going to be the stuff you like most.

For classical especially, when listening to music I have never heard (a frequent occurrance) I'll put it on and keep it on background level a couple of times. If after that I find it at all interesting I'll listen seriously. If I don't find it interesting, I assume its probably due to a lack of developed appreciation for the form or styly and I'll put it away for a year or two and then drag it out again and see if my feelings have changed.

I agree with Sugarbrie, except that for me the composers in the second paragraph came long before any real appreciation of Beethoven's music which really required some developed attention span and contemplation beyond my extant capabilities.

Interestingly, I think, I have discovered that an early appreciation of anything usually results in diminishing interest and the pieces that came more slowly have endured. I find I now love pieces that often my friends can't get into. I get some wierd looks from folks who have listened based on my glowing recommendations. :-)

If I sent down and listen to an album and just love it the first time I know I'll geat tired of it sooner. My all time faves are albums I liked just enough to listen to again.. and again until they became familiar.