At Last Bach Really Hits the Spot

Along the polite but not boring, lines with a very nice performance and recording, I'd recommend:

1. Rossini's Sonatas for Strings, performed by Camerata Bern on Deutsche Grammophon. Uncharacteristically good recording for DG! (BTW, Rossini composed these sonatas when he was only 12 years old.) I have this on vinyl only, but it was a digital recording and I'd assume it's on CD. These border on Divertimenti-esque, so they could be a little too smooth for you, but they're so well played that I can't imagine you being disappointed.

Another great, somewhat offbeat set of concertos that are highly enjoyable is Vivaldi's Bassoon Concertos played by Michael McCraw on Centaur CD (2001). Beware though - you could develop a bassoon addiction.

Another that might fit the bill, a little more demanding though, is Beethoven's Middle Quartets, performed by the Takacs Quartet on Decca CD's. Certainly can't go wrong owning this one anyway. (2002)

Agree with Lousyreeds - While I wouldn't say it's great for listening while driving, Glenn Gould's Goldberg Variations (his 1955 debut recording, NOT the 1981 version which I'd avoid) is one of the astonishing Bach performances of all time.

Now don't make fun of me - but I like some of the Canadian Brass' stuff and I'd definitely recommend their perfs of both Art of the Fugue and the Goldberg Variations. You wouldn't want them as your primary versions but they are quite refreshing and interesting to hear done in brass after hearing them the "normal" way a zillion times.

You can listen to track samples at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00003OP6H/qid=1132344074/br=1-2/ref=br_lf_m_2//002-8619240-9594456?v=glance&s=classical&n=42313

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000026NK/qid=1132344074/br=1-8/ref=br_lf_m_8//002-8619240-9594456?v=glance&s=classical&n=42313