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Classical Music: A How-To Guide for Beginners

This will be an ongoing thread to recommend great recordings and great performances of classical music. It seems that many audiophiles have a couple pieces of classical music, but have not fully delved into the genre. This is unfortunate, because there are literally thousands of treasures to be experienced. Classical music encompasses all aspects of human emotions, and there are is something out there for everyone. People may feel intimidated by all the choices. Exploring different pieces becomes enjoyable once you have a foothold. I hope to provide that foothold for people who wish to initiate a collection of masterpieces.

A couple of references are worth mentioning. First, www.classicstoday.com is an excellent source of highly opinionated reviews. Although some may disagree with some of the reviews, there are too many sites that think everything is wonderful. For a subscription magazine, Fanfare has a broad overview of many recordings from different genres. Good sources of CDs would include Amazon (new and used), Barnes and Noble (particularly sets with a 20% off coupon), Tower Records for certain sales, and www.mdt.co.uk for imports. Yourmusic.com is an online club with good prices.

My plan is to offer recommendations as I traverse my own collection, explaining the rationale for the choices. I hope that people will go and buy some of these, and listen to the aspects I mention. I hope that this is a fun adventure, and that others will come to appreciate the beauty of the classics. I feel lucky that this music has enriched my life, and I am always happy to share in some knowledge and experience. The software is inexpensive, so perhaps people would appreciate that chance to explore new music rather than fret about the latest power cord.
rtn1
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sufentanil
782 posts
 
Here are a couple that I hold dear:

1) Tchaikovsky + Glazunov violin concertos with Max Vengerov and the Berliner Philharmonkier
2) Beethoven Triple Concerto + Brahms Double Concerto with Rostropovich, Richter, Oistrakh
3) Dvorák: The Symphonies with Istvan Kertesz + LSO
4) Vengerov Plays Bach, Shchedrin, Ysaye

Michael
rtn1 OP
535 posts
 
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. Vengerov. Abbado. Berliner Philharmoniker. Teldec.

Beethoven Triple Concerto. Brahms Double Concerto. Richter. Oistrakh, Rostropovich. Szell. Cleveland Orchestra. EMI.

Michael, I am going to totally agree that these two are must-haves.

Vengerov is arguably the best living violinist. He has a masculine, confident, and energetic technique that makes the Stradiverius soar. If I want someone to hear how good my stereo sounds, the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto is what I play. This piece is amazing from start to finish. Even Abbado, who I find boring and mannered, seems to be inspired. Abbado whips-up the Berliners to have that sense of communication between soloist and orchestra. This piece is accessible from the first listen, and continues to impress with repeated listening. The engineering on this recording is perfect.

The Brahms Double Concerto features some of the best talent put on stage, PLUS they deliver. Szell's Cleveland Orchestra was widely regarded to be world class and perhaps the best in the US. Szell launches into the Brahms with his charactaristic incisiveness, getting full committment from the orchestra. The soloists throw themselves into the music as well, with an inspired sense of communication between all players. Karajan actually does a good job as well. The recording is very good, with a little hiss, but a very warm 'analog' sound.
drdennis
165 posts
 
I would highly recommend The Teaching Companies series on classical music with Greenberg.Also,99.5.org (WCRB/WGBH 89.7 HD-2) broadcasts the Boston Symphany Orchestra Saturdays at 8:00pm, and WHRB (Harvard Radio 95.5) does live broadcasts on Sunday afternoons.
tgyeti
84 posts
 
I'll speak in broader terms and not suggest any actual recordings. I'd recommend people listen to "chamber music" classical music as it's easier to "digest", IMO. A fewer number of instruments, less cluttered.

Per Wikipedia:

Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part. The word "chamber" signifies that the music can be performed in a small room, often in a private salon with an intimate atmosphere. However, it usually does not include, by definition, solo instrument performances.
bdgregory
1,715 posts
 
great thread! keep it coming (for is novices)

By the way, I agree with Tgyeti - Chamber music is easier to digest in my experience, but it's also fund to have the "chamber" be in your listening room. I find most orchestra music recordings don't image as well.
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