New to Classical Music - Album to try first??



Hi all,
I have a very important question to ask..

I know good music with talented people and good recording when I hear it..and I have good ears..

When I listen to an artist that I haven't heard before, It is actually very easy to tell if you will like their music...If you hear a few cuts that you want to listen to AGAIN, that is the start of it...you listen to the cuts again and you start having favorites.. on good albums you will have a couple of real favorites, on great albums you may have 5 or more favorites..now you are really on to something...a nice music excursion.

That is exactly the way that most good music comes into my life, and I would think that it is much the same for most audiophiles..

I listen to classic rock, jazz & female jazz singers, some country and many kinds of other music..I am open to all music by talented people and especially love well recorded, dynamic examples on a good system..

Now here's the question.
I have NEVER listened to classical music, but I would like to try some now..
What one album would you suggest for me to try first?
- It has to start somewhere..

Please take your time to answer..and I will borrow or buy the one most suggested, and am looking forward to it..

Thanks,
Joe
joe55ag
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5

Agreed - the Lorin Mazel version with the CLeveland Orchestra is OTT! It may not be the moving interpretation but it sure is fun.
I asked something remarkably similar a couple of weeks back, but I asked for ten pieces of music. Someone recommended a book you can get on Amazon (or anywhere else), called The NPR Guide to Building a Classical CD Collection. It lists 350 major works, and the author's opinion as to the best recordings of them. I will pass on the recommendation--it has given me some context for understanding the music, and a little comfort around which version of the various pieces I get. Have fun!
I have the NPR guide as well! Anyone interested in expanding their universe a little can let me know and I'll supply some information on a few morsels of audiophile grade 20th century works that may just stir a part of you that is currently dormant. Rochberg's Symphony No. 1 on Naxos, for example, would be a great start.
Anne Sophie Mutter-Carmen Fantasies on Deutsche Grammophon.
Wagner; Die Walkyure on (Arte Nova) Gustav Kahn.
Pamela Frank plays all Mozart violin Concertos (all 5) on Arte Nova also.
Pianists; Vladimir Horowitz, evgeny Kissin.
Cecilia Bartoli for female vocals.
Dvorak Piano Trios by Ax/Kim/Ma on CBS Masterworks.