How do you find BEST classical recordings???

Pls1 - I need to compile the pieces and composers that I will be asking for advice on. But most currently, I've decided that I really like Vaughan Williams. I would love some advice about how to get into some of his best work and associated best performances. I have the Sony Essential Classics CD (SBK 62645, Philadelphia Orchestra) that has three short works, including Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. The recording has lots of weird sonic effects (I assume due to the transfer to digital), but the miking is great and there is a multitextured sound. I remember hearing the Hiawatha piece on the radio and liking that. I don't like things too shmaltzy. Any suggestions?

I also love Bruch's Scottish Fantasy. Any suggestions on that? I recently heard a young Chinese violinist performing it on the radio. It was absolutely fantastic. I forget his name, but it was a rather short name that could be pronounced akin to an English name (i.e. it was very close).

Thanks Pls1!!!

peter, you asked about AMG on line - i've never looked at it on line but i buy it regularily. It is best used for gaining a concensus of performances on recent releases and, i think best of all, it has composer reviews wherein all of the composers most popular works are discussed and "ranked". But be careful, sonic quality is not really important to these guys. (i also subscribe to all of the recommended journals and highly recommend this as a primary source of information, just be wary - Pls1 has described them very accurately.

you mentioned Bruch's Scottish Fantasia - You may well have heard Cho-Liang Lin on Sony/CBS. It also includes Bruch's Violin Concerto. This is an excellent choice, however my personal preference is the same program by Kyung-Wha Chung on a Decca Legends CD. But either will serve you well.

On Vaughn Williams, since you have some of his short works, you might try Neville Marriner's CD (if still in print) on Argo, which includes the Fantasia On a theme by Thomas Tallis, the Fantasia on Greensleeves, The Lark Assending etc. However, i would recommend that you sample one of his symphonies, the 2d called the London Symphony. There are many good versions on budget labels, I like Previn in all of the symphonies on RCA. However my current interest is in the original version on Chandos by Hickox. Beware this is an audiophile disc in the best sense - but it will challenge the dynamics of your system. enjoy.

The Bruch you head is probably

Bruch: Violin Concerto no 1, Scottish Fantasy / Lin, Slatkin Chicago Symphony
Catalog#: MK 42315 CBS Masterworks

If you liked this try these two violinists and see what pieces/performances you prefer

Jascha Heifetz: The Supreme Two midpriced CD’s Bach, Bruch, Brahms, Sibelius Tchaikowsky Rca - #63470

And

Itzhak Perlman - Great Romantic Concertos ~ Beethoven, Bach, Bruch, Mendelsshon, Paganini, Tchaikowsky 3 CD’s Angel Classics - #64922

These will give you exposure to excellent very different interpretations of major violin concertos.

Vaughn Williams is not one of my personal favorite composer so I will defer on selections. But I would check out his London Symphony and Sinfonia Antarctica.

In the beginning of your classicl journey you will have to be patient and your inner ear will develope. Took me 10 years of listening, made some "poor" choices along the way. The use of the 1 minute Real-Audio clips has helped me signinficantly. Gramophone in the 90's did offer good recomendations. On some of my favorte compostions I have several performances, each offers something enjoyable. Now don't get fooled by "big" names, like Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and "small" names like Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Just got a out-of-print Levine/Berlin performance of Sibelius #2. Not much happening here. The "little orchestra of the far north" does a much more emotional performance. If you get a chance, get to some old (circa 1997) copies of Gramaphone (check your local university library), they'll point you to classic performances. Their new web site recommendations are worthless.

Tweekerman, that's a bit of a generalization there... comparing the Berlin Phil in favor of the Iceland Sym. Yes the Berlin Phil can sound sterile at times, esp. on DG recordings and esp. when levine is at the helm, yes the Iceland Sym. sounds much better than you would expect from such a small country.... but that comparison is ridiculous. The Berlin Phil blows away the Iceland Symphony. In every respect. I know, I am one of the principal string players on that Iceland Sym. Sibelius set. I just got that recording, I have major problems with it. Terribly recorded, and the performance has holes all over the place. It does have a good deal of nordic spirit and enthusiasm, but as an orchestra, it is really is a "B" grade band. The performance lacks cohesion for one, has ensemble problems, and the intonation in the winds and brass???.
Next time the Berlin Phil is in your town, go hear them. They are the best orchestra in the world, period.