A big thank you to the contributors to this thread, particularly tones for starting it. I, like many others, have always enjoyed the occasional blast of classical, and, when I had a high end valve/horn/turntable setup, I bought quite a few pieces.
Marriage, and a descent into a more domestically acceptable AV setup reduced my music listening, and decimated the percentage that was classical. I enjoyed symphonic stuff, and mid range hifi really doesn't do justice to the dynamic envelope. More recently, I have upgraded to much better kit, re-igniting my enjoyment of all types of music.
However, classical still remained something of a closed book. I just didn't know what to buy, and found classical music departments somewhat daunting, everone seemed so serious.
So it was a joy to see a thread which gave simple, and understandable entry recommendations. And not too many of them either!
I had looked at the Gramophone Guide, but their suggested core repertoire runs to well over 200 pieces!
I also valued the suggestions of specific recordings, as the music can be unenegaging if you pick the wrong version.
For this, I did find the Gramophone guide to be a useful reference.
So I went out and bought a few discs, both via mdt and at HMV, and I really couldn't be happier.
It's early days, but I do feel you have helped me find a way in to music which I will treasure going forward.
It's all symphonic at the moment, but I'll move on to chamber next.
For those who are in a similar position, and those interested, the current purchases are:
Saint Saens 3rd Symphony - CSO Barenboim
Dvorak 7 & 9 Symphonies - Wiener Phil Kubelik
Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony - RPO Gatti (I already had 4, 6 and some Ballet)
Holst The Planets - Orchestra of Montreal Dutoit
Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition Cleveland Orchestra Knussen
Beethoven 1-9 - Wand
My second batch, which I have yet to listen to are
Orff Carmina Burana - Jochum
Schubert 3.5 & 6 Symphonies - RPO Beecham
Rimsky Korsakov Scheherazade - Kirov Gergiev
I also already had a couple of Rachmaninov, Symphonic Dances and Piano Concertos 1&2
It's all great, and not difficult listening
Thanks very much once again
BTW, any suggestions for String Quartets etc
Marriage, and a descent into a more domestically acceptable AV setup reduced my music listening, and decimated the percentage that was classical. I enjoyed symphonic stuff, and mid range hifi really doesn't do justice to the dynamic envelope. More recently, I have upgraded to much better kit, re-igniting my enjoyment of all types of music.
However, classical still remained something of a closed book. I just didn't know what to buy, and found classical music departments somewhat daunting, everone seemed so serious.
So it was a joy to see a thread which gave simple, and understandable entry recommendations. And not too many of them either!
I had looked at the Gramophone Guide, but their suggested core repertoire runs to well over 200 pieces!
I also valued the suggestions of specific recordings, as the music can be unenegaging if you pick the wrong version.
For this, I did find the Gramophone guide to be a useful reference.
So I went out and bought a few discs, both via mdt and at HMV, and I really couldn't be happier.
It's early days, but I do feel you have helped me find a way in to music which I will treasure going forward.
It's all symphonic at the moment, but I'll move on to chamber next.
For those who are in a similar position, and those interested, the current purchases are:
Saint Saens 3rd Symphony - CSO Barenboim
Dvorak 7 & 9 Symphonies - Wiener Phil Kubelik
Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony - RPO Gatti (I already had 4, 6 and some Ballet)
Holst The Planets - Orchestra of Montreal Dutoit
Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition Cleveland Orchestra Knussen
Beethoven 1-9 - Wand
My second batch, which I have yet to listen to are
Orff Carmina Burana - Jochum
Schubert 3.5 & 6 Symphonies - RPO Beecham
Rimsky Korsakov Scheherazade - Kirov Gergiev
I also already had a couple of Rachmaninov, Symphonic Dances and Piano Concertos 1&2
It's all great, and not difficult listening
Thanks very much once again
BTW, any suggestions for String Quartets etc