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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
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
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.
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,235 posts
 
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.
classical1
168 posts
 
Joe, I think the easiest way to start is listen to a local FM (or internet) radio station. You're bound to find composers you'll like.

Haydn is pretty easy to get into as much of his music sounds 'uplifting' (at least to me) ..the cello concertos, many of his symphonies , piano works.

..Brahms symphonies..and about anything by Beethoven and you're on your way.. good luck
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
LOL, Classical music? Actually I think the best advice is by those who suggest you look in your local library or listen to a local radio station that plays classical music, it is too varied. There are different periods of Western Classical music. You might like Gregorian Chants, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical era, Romantic or Modern. Another recommendation is to get a book on the Great Composers to develop an appreciation of the era they lived in and why they were considered great for the period they came from. Typically these books list many of the works and masterpieces they created. One example is "The A-Z of Classical Composers" by Peter Gammond. Not too heavy but quite informative. There are others that list recordings that are considered definitive, not because of recording quality but performance. An example is "101 Masterpieces of Music & Their Composers" by Martin Bookspan.

Ultimately it will come down to what peaks your interest. When you decide which music sounds good to you then you might ask for specific recommendations so far as recordings.

rja's avatar
rja
2,356 posts
 
Here's a new release that's just lovely by a group I admire very much. Haydn Piano Trios Vol 1 by The Florestan Trio on Hyperion (CDA67719). After listening to this music it's not difficult to understand why Mozart held "Papa" Haydn in such high regard. This is the first of a promising Haydn Piano Trio series by this group.

I can recommend any CD by The Floristan Trio. They've already covered quite a bit of the Piano Trio repertoire. Their 4 CD set of Beethoven Trios is outstanding and has garnered wide acclaim. There's also 2 CDs of Mozart Trios that's quite good.
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