i have run into a problem that troubles me. i'm taking a classical music class, and i'm beginning to really enjoy classical music. i haven't bought any classical CDs, but i have an ever-growing collection of downloaded pieces.

why do i have 5 different versions of wagner's "ride of the valkyries"? is there no definitive recording, and if so, how can i find out which recording that is?

if i were to start a collection of classical CDs, is there a preferable series, or a preferable orchestra?

what will i usually find on a CD? one symphony? a collection of sonatas? one opus?

what i want to know, basically, is how do i start a classical music collection? i'm just a bit frustrated on the lack of information i can find on how to start collecting the essentials.

I don't have the time at the moment, however, for the time being this should be of help.


http://www.radiomute.com/361853-post6.html

http://tinyurl.com/2htqka

you kinda misinterpreted me, satch.

i know (or can easily find) composers and their major works. i don't want a giant listing of names, pieces, time periods, term definitions, etc etc.

i just want to know what to look for when i browse through the classical collection at the local record store. read over my post one more time with this in mind. for instance, if i wanted to buy beethoven's symphony no. 5, what recording should i buy and why?

your second post is more what i'm talking about, i'm gonna get my hands on that book. those links are cool too, they will come in handy. thx satch.

I didn't misinterpret you. I gave you a list of recommendations and since I didn't have time to give specifics for each one; I gave you a means to find it for yourself.

When I have more time, I can give you recommendations for those that interest you.


Now I am off into the wild blue yonder.

also, check the edit i made to that post.

One thing you can do is go with a label you can trust. You mentioned Wagner, for that you can go with Deutsch Grammaphon. I have the full set but it is like about 15 CD's long so as for buying things in a collection or whatever it just depends on what you're up for. For symphonies you can go with certain conductors and orchestras, like you're probably pretty safe with Bernstein and The New York Philharmonic. For Sonatas you can look for virtuoso performers, like Segovia for guitar. The EMI Classics is good way to pick up some decent stuff often on the cheap. If you want to focus your listening on quality over quantity I suggest starting here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_...28Beethoven%29

You only have 5? N00b.

Here's a list I did a long time ago that references particular recordings you can find:

http://www.radiomute.com/12934-looki...enn#post192368

In contradition to what I said in the above post, I now believe that John Barbirolli's Mahler ninth on EMI is the way to go.

If you want a few no-brainers...start with the conductor, Fritz Reiner, and his recordings for RCA (Living Stereo). There isn't a bad one.

There are different ways to interpret a score. Especially ridiculously complicated works like Ride of the Valkyries.

All interpretations are a little bit different. Usually you can nail it down to about three must-have recordings.


Not really...many have their moments, but no one is consistently brilliant. You'll have to judge everything individually. Like I said, the Fritz Reiner Living Stereo series is pretty solid.


One Mahler symphony per disc...often one of his symphonies takes up two discs. Two Beethoven symphonies per disc. Three Mozart symphonies per disc. String quartets and piano sonatas aren't necessarily any less complex or time-filling than symphonies. They fill up about the same space and are just as harmonically advanced.

The string quartet (standardized by F. J. Haydn) is basically the heart of the symphony. It contains all the polyvocalities you hear in a symphony, but with stripped down instrumentation.


Jim Svejda's Record Shelf guide, while I don't always agree with his choices, is a good place to start. Also the Rough Guide. I've never used the Penguin Guide so I don't know how that goes.

Name a composer you're interested in and I'll give you a place to start.