You want a strategy? Start with Beethoven. You'll hear the evolution of late classical to early romantic through his 9 symphonies, and then you can go to Brahms, Dvorak, Bruckner, Mahler, and on through the 20th Century. You can always go back to Bach. :) And if you don't like something, listen to it again.
Classical music for newbie
Like myself, I'm sure some of you here have been wanting to get into classical music but don't know where to start. Over a year ago, my friend and fellow A'goner Jaytea compiled a list of classical LP's for me, some of these have become my very favorite recordings. I must admit that I don't know much about classical music other than I love hearing the power and dynamic of an orchestra in my living room, these are some of the most dynamic recordings I've heard. The following titles is where you want to start.
• The Firebird - Antal Dorati - London Symphony Orchestra - Mercury Living Presence
• Lieutenant Kijie - Fritz Reiner - Chicago Symphony - RCA Living Stereo
• Scheherazade - Rimsky Korsakoff - Fritz Reiner - Chicago Symphony - RCA Living Stereo
• Moussorgsky - Pictures At An Exhibition - Fritz Reiner - Chicago Symphony - RCA Living Stereo
• Khachaturian - Masquerade Suite - Kiril Kondrashin - RCA Living Stereo
Many of these are sold out for good reasons, but they are worth finding. Look here on A'gon or ebay, you'll thank me.
• The Firebird - Antal Dorati - London Symphony Orchestra - Mercury Living Presence
• Lieutenant Kijie - Fritz Reiner - Chicago Symphony - RCA Living Stereo
• Scheherazade - Rimsky Korsakoff - Fritz Reiner - Chicago Symphony - RCA Living Stereo
• Moussorgsky - Pictures At An Exhibition - Fritz Reiner - Chicago Symphony - RCA Living Stereo
• Khachaturian - Masquerade Suite - Kiril Kondrashin - RCA Living Stereo
Many of these are sold out for good reasons, but they are worth finding. Look here on A'gon or ebay, you'll thank me.