Heavy Metaller needs some class ical .

Here's a "stupid" confession. I realized recently, now that we have approx. 60 or so classical CD's that much of my exposure to this music came from classic cartoon (Bugs, etc.). I have fun (with my wife) remembering the cartoon scene in which the musical piece (or part of it) was played.

No need for embarassment, Dekay. I must admit every time I hear the second half of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 I think of the Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes cartoons, which used that music all the time in chase scenes. My son learned Grieg from the Smurfs. And of course, with Rossini it was the Lone Ranger, as well as some of the cartoons. And our parents thought those shows were a waste of time......

For sheer adrenaline, I think you ought to check out Holst's "The Planets" (first movement, especially), Thomas Ades's "Asyla" (third movement, especially) and probably Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring". Just as with Rock and Metal, you'll find some part of the piece that you really like, and the rest will probably grow on you as you listen...
Happy Listening!
Kurt

Ccerny: Great question. I just got into this high end thing myself and am currently going through the growing pains of actually critically listening to the music. Those old Grateful Dead recordings just don't cut it. But I recently picked up the Reference Recording of the Minnesota Symphony playing some of Coplands' works and it Rocks! The first cut should be familiar to you: Fanfare for a Common Man covered by Emerson Lake and Palmer - what bass! I only have the one classical album and am afraid that nothing else will touch this. I look forward to listening to all these suggestions.