classical suggestions

There are many good "sampler" type discs which would allow you to hear popular selections from multiple composers on the same cd. The Naxos label is always a good value, and a quick search on a site like Tower Records, where you can hear parts of a disc, can be a big help.

I would highly recommend that you start with the "big guns" like Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, etc... They have been universally popular for good reason!

You might even go to good old BMG and pick up the RCA "Simply Classical Collection" which has multiple volumes and the opportunity to hear some things which could really strike your fancy.

Do something like this and get back to us with the favored sounds and further recommendations can be made. It is really always about what YOU like, and not what anyone else thinks you should!

Enjoy your music,

Charlie

Great suggestions so far... Newbee, I agree with every one of your recommendations. Great works! I'd add Beethoven's 7th and 9th, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5,
and Mahler's Symphony No. 2 (the "Resurrection"). Those last two especially will blow you away! Enjoy!

OK. Some other specific suggestions:

Wagner, Symphony in C major, Berlin Classics 0094082BC

Pachelbel Canon and Other Baroque Hits, RCA Victor 09026-60840-2

Yo Yo Ma, Simply Baroque, Sony

Mozart for your Mind, Philips, 446 377-2 (BMG D207364-2)

Respighi, Ancient Airs and Dances (Lopez-Cobos) Telarc 80309

Wagner, Orchestral Music, (Levine) Deutsche Grammophon 447 764-2

Charlie

Next time you're in a bookstore or a libray,check out Ted Libbey's "Guide to Classical Music". He offers short essays about musicians and their musics,and makes recommendations of specific recordings. One more thing,you are ,of course,entitled to your tastes, but don't rule out of hand all small ensamble string music;like everything else,some of it stinks and some of it is excellent. Happy Listening.

Here's another starter book that might be useful:
"The Vintage Guide to Classical Music" by Jan Wafford, Vintage Books (1992).

This gives short biographies of the great composers of western classical music, and will provide great descriptions of the signifance of their works to read about while you are listening to your new classical cd collection.