Best Classical to "broaden" listening arena?

Among the composers who IMO should be on your initial short list, I would add Schubert, Chopin, Dvorak, and Schumann to those already suggested in Ojgalli's post. If opera may be of interest, Puccini. From the earlier Baroque period, Telemann and Handel. And for some fun stuff, that can often show off a high quality system to good advantage, try some music from the even earlier Renaissance period.

I would also suggest giving preference to recordings produced on labels that are recognized for consistently good sound quality. A lot of excellent musical material that has been put out over the years by the major labels is sonically ruined by excessive multi-mic'ing and processing, which may prove to be particularly discouraging during your initial explorations.

I have found the following labels to have provided excellent sounding recordings with a high degree of consistency, although unfortunately a number of them no longer exist:

Accent
Astree
Audiofon
Chesky
Dorian
Harmonia Mundi France
Hyperion
Lyrinx
M&K Realtime
Mercury Living Presence re-issues
North Star
Pierre Verany
Proprius
Reference Recordings
Sheffield Labs
Syrinx
Telarc (many are excellent; some will be disappointing)
Valois
Wilson Audio

Enjoy!

-- Al

If you have a public library near you, most let you check out classical music cd's and see what you are drawn to.

Go to Amazon or other music sites and sample their music. The sites also will suggest similar works and what other people liked as well. It is free and you will get to hear 30 second clips to wet your whistle. (check out Frederick Fennell conducts Leroy Anderson @Amazon)!

Compilation/Sampler CDs from Chesky, Telarc, Reference Recordings etc, are also an easy way to get excellent quality at a fair price. HD tracks lets you hear first as well.

I assume you are looking for more specific recommendations, and especially some that are well recorded, spacious, and engaging. For violin, try some of Hillary Hahn's Sony recordings, such as Mozart, Barber & Meyer, Brahms & Stravinsky, Mendelsohn, and Elgar. For cello and piano, try Zuill Bailey's Telarc recording of Brahms works for cello and piano. All are quite accessible.

If you have streaming capability check out WFMT Chicago. Best classical station in the US. Special shows St. Paul Sunday and Exploring Music will raise your knowledge and focus your interest. Other great show besides daily programming