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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
gdnrbob
4,471 posts
 
@blindjim ,
I would concentrate on listening to the composers you have already listened to and listen to more of their works.
Thinking back to my classical introduction, it was on WQXR and WNCN,but they are now either gone or shadows of their former selves.
Unfortunately, streaming services are geared for popular music and tend to have terrible playlists for classical.

Tablejockey has it right-go with the basics.
I would start with Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Mozart. They encompass a wide time frame and you can see which style floats your boat.
Bob
skoczylas's avatar
skoczylas
241 posts
 
Another approach is by label. Almost anything on Naxos is excellent. 
gsm18439
895 posts
 
Many good suggestions. I would start with a cross-section of great composers and genres until you figure out what you like. From the above list (mostly). . . 

Concerto for solo instrument and orchestra

  Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto in D.

  Mozart's Piano Concertos, from #18 on up, esp. nos. 21-26, 

  Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto 2.

Large scale works for orchestra

  Beethoven's 9th Symphony

  Mussorgsky Pictures At An Exhibition

Smaller scale works for orchestra or for ensemble

  Vivaldi The Four Seasons

  Brahms Clarinet Quintet

Solo instrument

  Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin

  Shostakovich's 24 Etudes and Fugues for Piano




 
gsm18439
895 posts
 
Or maybe Bach Cello Suites rather than Partitas and Sonatas for Violin. 
phomchick's avatar
phomchick
209 posts
 
The first post is the best so far, you need to start by finding out what you like in classical music. Therefore, your first list should cover a wide range of material to help you understand the landscape, and guide your further exploration. Here are my suggestions:

1. Bach: Goldberg Variations - Glenn Gould (I prefer the 1981 recording, but you might like the 1955 one)
2. Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A, K622
3. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 (John Eliot Gardner is good)
4. Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto #1 (I started with Van Cliburn)
5. Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite
6. Mason Bates: Alternative Energy

That should get you started.
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