looking for ideas on must have classical music


Hello classical devotees!

A friend had me rip quite a few of his CDs for his trip abroad. most were classical, and many were like 'best of' compilations. one or two were whole symphonies.

armed with these at least and no others I felt it time to wade into the classical waters and increase that genre in my library.

what then, are your fav, 3 or 4, go to, gotta have composers, movements, and or conductors out there on CD at least?

if also available in HD or otherwise, please point towards them as well, if you don't mind.

your input is sincerely appreciated and this input will initiate my list for current and future additions to the catalog, so again, thanks very much!!
blindjim
Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) by Richard Strauss. Herbert Von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic - Deutsche Grammaphone Original Classics - 1958. His first and best stereo recording of this R.Strauss masterpiece!
Bela Bartok: Music For Strings, Percussion and Celesta. Ozawa and the Boston Symphony. Deutsche Grammaphon 1977. A lively and thrilling performance! An alternate would be Fritz Reiner's with the Chicago Symphony on RCA Living Stereo.
Four by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony on RCA Living Stereo worth acquiring: 1) Also Sprach Zarathustra - R.Strauss, 2) Concerto For Orchestra - Bela Bartok, 3) The Pines And Fountains Of Rome - Ottorino Resphigi, 4) Pictures At An Exhibition - Modest Mussourgski. Superb stereo recordings from '58-59 done by Lewis Layton (all tube gear!).
Julia Fischer with the Russian Symphony Orchestra  Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto in D on SACD.  This is a very moving interpretation which flows smoothly.  It is on the PentaTone label.  I find it more expressive than the Itzhak Perlman version.

Martha Argerich With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto #1 in B Flat on CD. A classic 1971 recording on the Deutsche Grammophon label.

As you can see, I am a definite Tchaikovsky fan.