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How to go about collecting Classical Music

At age 68 I’ve started to like Classical Music. It’s been mostly Jazz, Rock n Roll, and R&B up to now. I’m familiar with those genres, know their history, artists, and how to best and most economically acquire their recordings. Not so the Classical repertoire which covers a much longer time period and encompasses so many styles and forms.

What genres and/or periods of Classical music should I be exploring? I’m not looking for recommendations on particular composers or artists, only genres or periods. In Classical music there is orchestral music, chamber music, opera, church music and who knows what else to try out. Maybe you could advise me, if you wouldn’t mind, of some types to try? Or maybe you could recommend a book on the subject that would help a rookie get a start understanding what’s out there.

In buying classical music, for any one work, there may be innumerable recordings by various artists, orchestras and ensembles. How do you sort out which recordings you want in that respect. For example, I looked up Stravinsky’s Rites of Spring on Ebay last night to get some idea of pricing and what classical music available there. There were so many recordings of that work, I would have no idea how to sort out which would have been a good choice. Are there web sites where there are recommendations on which recordings are most exceptional? Or alternately, are there classical record labels you can rely on routinely to provide superior quality recordings? I’ve heard Deutsche Gramophone may be a reliable label for one, but that’s about it. Could you recommend any other labels to look for?

There seems to be a lot of Classical music in SACD format relative to Jazz or Rock n ’Roll. Is there some reason for that? Should SACD be the format of choice for purchasing Classical music, or is there good classical material in Redbook format to be found? I prefer to stay away from used vinyl due to condition issues, or new vinyl due to cost. I’m guessing the better dynamic range of CD’s lends itself to orchestral music. Is there any market for used classical SACD’s? Are there any sites you prefer to purchase your Classical CD’s, either new or used?

I grew up on Long Island. On one trip to midtown Manhattan I walked into an old church not too far from St. Patrick’s to view its’ magnificent stained glass window. Once inside I heard some equally magnificent classical organ being played. I discovered the church’s incredible organ was being played by some of New York City’s finest classical organists who would book time to practice on it. That large church was always deserted, and I went back many times for what amounted to free private concerts. I’d like to know what kind of music that was to try and replicate that experience to some degree at home, From what I’ve read here and elsewhere there surely is a plethora of other wonderful Classical music to explore and enjoy. Thanks in advance for any advice,

Mike






skyscraper
larryi
4,270 posts
 
If your Bach box is from the Brilliant label, I have that one too.  There are so many works of his that are sublime.  In many polls of classical music listeners and critics, his B minor mass is considered the single most important work.  I would be inclined to agree.  The only kind of work he did not undertake is opera.  Complete works of composers like Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert would also not contain any "dogs."

But, at any early stage of collecting, I would suggest surveying a wide range of composers and composition styles, including 20th and 21st century composers.


mike_in_nc
1,183 posts
 
Mike--
Books: _Inside Music_ by Karl Haas still hasn’t been improved on. Covers classical music from a variety of perspectives, including instrument families, forms, time periods, conductors, and composers. _The Indispensable Composers_ by Anthony Tommasini is the second one to add. Profiles of the lives and work of a dozen or so of the more important composers.

I can’t urge you strongly enough to spend the $120/year for Qobuz and also whatever a Bluesound Node21 costs these days. It is a wonderful way to explore new and old releases and find what you like. I have about 3,500 classical releases in my library and have been listening to classical music for 60 years, yet I still find Qobuz the best way to select new releases. Your taste will not be the same as anyone else’s, and it’s impossible to know if you will like a release without hearing it. If you avoid buying one or two duds a month by having Qobuz, it’s worth it.

I am more negative than most on LPs. Yes, there are some classic performances available, but much more comes out on CD every month.

Also, the ClassicsToday.com Website, at $49 a year, will pay for itself quickly. Its hundreds of reviews monthly have saved me from some buying some terrible CDs and alerted me to some great ones. Especially if you’re not subscribing to Qobuz or similar, it’s a must.

Have fun!
P.S. I see that @cm6td also recommended Haas’s book and ClassicsToday.com. Bravo!
skyscraper OP
832 posts
 
Larryi, yes it is the 157 CD Brilliant set. I wonder how it compares to the Deutsche Grammophon set There seem to be some slightly small Brilliant Bach sets too, maybe 144 CD's or around there. Had me a bit confused when reading reviews and ordering. The smaller set was available new on Ebay for $115. The larger set had the best reviews so that sealed the deal. I've started looking into those other complete works sets you mentioned.

Getting any composers complete work has it's appeal.  For the best jazz, rock 'n roll and R&B artists I usually try and end up with all their albums, With prolific artists like Miles Davis or Art Blakey that can take a while and be somewhat costly, Complete works sets of great Classic composers at such low prices per CD makes this an easy, economical and irresistible choice. Too bad you can't get original Rembrandts the same way. I will listen early on to that B minor mass you mentioned. Thanks.

Mike_in_NC, I'll find the Haas and Tomassini books you recommend. Sound like good resources to have. Like you, I've gotten to prefer CD's too, even if LP's may sound better. I'll take a look at the the Classics Today website as well. Thanks,

Mike in VA  

mike_in_nc
1,183 posts
 
Mike --
Sometimes, I’ve had a performance of something, and I thought it was fine, then a different interpretation made me sit up in my chair. A mediocre performance just doesn’t get the work across the same way. Most classical works have dozens -- important works have hundreds -- of performances to choose from.

In buying "complete works of," you are likely to get a big pudding with a few plums in it. Not my favorite way to know the music. One CD with music you love is better than 10 you tolerate.

Any two recordings will have different perspectives, different halls, different miking, thus different sound worlds. I haven’t mentioned the interpretation yet! Which appeals more to *you*?

I have > 20 version of the Goldberg Variations (of JS Bach), because I enjoy them & wanted to experience other ways they can be played. Now that I have Qobuz, I still listen to other performances but am unlikely to buy more.

So I’d go slowly, find which reviewers seem to agree with your tastes, and try to hear at least samples before you buy.
skyscraper OP
832 posts
 
Sounds like some good advice Mike. Buying classical certainly does have some differences from buying jazz or rock n’ roll, There you might find cover versions of a song, but that’s for the most part irrelevant as you buy primarily on the basis of the performer. For instance I’ve all the Rolling Stones and Beatles albums and accept no substitutes. Your perspective on buying classical music, expressed above, differs from what I’m used to, does make perfect sense, and is the kind of thing I hoped this thread would uncover to guide my ongoing acquisition of classical music works. Thanks.

I’ve learned quite a bit on this thread and have appreciated you all sharing your thoughts.

Mike
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