Starting a Classical Vinyl Music Collection

OP

Do you know anything about Classical Music?  Your OP specifically mentions vinyl.

To me this implies that you know something about Classical Music, that this knowledge was acquired by other means (digital, radio, or performing it), and that you are wondering what is available specifically on vinyl.

  However, I suspect that what you meant to say was: 1) I only listen to vinyl 2) I know nothing about Classical Music, and what should I try?

  I suggest spending some time listening to a Classical Music Radio station to see what strikes your fancy.  Then perhaps stream a few different versions of the music you like, after identifying which recordings are available on vinyl.

  I could sit here all day and make specific composer recommendations, but it is a wide genre, and I am clueless as to what might light your fire

I see lots and lots of classical records for sale all the time for really low prices so it should be easy to do.

Half price book stores is where I built most of my used classical vinyl collection. Usually $3.50 each. Also got quite a few expensive reissues online. After a good cleaning I usually enjoy the originals more. 

I would start another way. There are mammoth collections of CD editions of Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven on Amazon. I mean dozens of discs for pennies a disc. Give them a listen, decide what you like and start your LP collections from there. 

Like this. Get them used on ebay even cheaper. You could rip them to digital too...

https://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Complete-Various/dp/B00L2SQVVQ/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2LE049SJFN9X1&keywords=mozart+cd+box+set&qid=1706447701&sprefix=mozart+cd+box+set%2Caps%2C829&sr=8-2

There are books on the subject, and lots of advice online regarding orchestras, conductors, their interpretations of the composers, tempo choices, and the sound quality of the recording.  The Penguin Guide is very useful.  But only you can say what moves you emotionally and intellectually.  Do you like the music of Vivaldi?  Of the Baroque masters, Bach is  supreme in my opinion, but maybe you will find Handel compelling, or Monteverdi?  One must reckon with Mozart, but pay attention to Haydn too.  Beethoven is the universally acknowledged Titan of the Western musical canon, but Schubert and Chopin are not to be ignored.  Some people flip for Wagner.  I love Brahms and Mahler, but Bruckner, I don’t get…etc.

Here are a few starter suggestions:

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; JS Bach: The Musical Offering, Mass in Bm. Mozart: Clarinet Quartet, Gran Partita Serenade K.361, Piano Sonata K.331, Symphony #40 in Gm.  Beethoven: Symphony #3, 5, 9, Quartets Op.59, Piano Concerto #4, Waldstein Sonata, Moonlight Sonata. Schubert: The String Quintet in C, some Lieder sung by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, a  late Piano Sonata.  Chopin: Piano Sonata #3 by Emil Gilels on DG. Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto, Symphony #4. Brahms: both Piano Concertos, Symphony #1, Violin Concerto.  Mahler: Symphony #2, for starters, #6 if you like that, and the rest if you are still enjoying.  Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra;  Stravinsky: The Rite Of Spring; Bartok: Concerto For Orchestra; Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue; Varese: Ionisation, Equitorial on Nonesuch.