Classical fans, I need advice


I need a bit of advice. I've been listening to sample classical recordings (from tower records and amazon) for over 3 months trying to find a place to start. My interest began when I first became entranced by Alison Krauss + Union Station and Nickel Creek. I've gained a new appreciation for classical styles and the violin (fiddle?) in particular.

I listened to: Hilary Hahn - Bach: Violin Concertos on Deutsche Grammophon and enjoyed it. It wasn't too pretty, nor too symphonic. It's intimate and large at the same time. Maybe not quite as romantic as I might prefer but I honestly cannot say without hearing more. Keep in mind I'm not describing the performance here just the music. I'm thinking I will take the plunge with this Hybrid SACD.

Based on this can I be "profiled" and perhaps pointed in a direction? I know these works come from the Baroque period. I also read this in an amazon review "Shortly after Bach's time, the structure of a concerto changed from an ensemble piece for chamber musicians to a piece for soloist and full orchestra. Hence many recordings of these pieces are done by 'name' soloists and 'name' orchestras and lose their intimacy in the process. This recording does not; kudos to DG and Hahn for the choice of the thoroughly musical and consummately professional Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for this disc." I really don't know if this is significant to my enjoyment of what i've heard but I thought I should mention it.

A few other notes about myself. Sound quality is of extreme importance to me. I simply cannot enjoy music on poor recordings. Something else, I really like the song from the Lord of the Rings soundtrack titled "Concerning Hobbits" composed by Howard Shore and performed by the New Zealand S.O. Again I'm not sure if this points me to a specific classical style or period but I figured I would mention it.

Any comments are appreciated
Vedric
vedric

Showing 4 responses by schubert

+ 1 There is no better start than the NPR Guide to "Building A Classical CD Collection" by Ted Libbey .

You might not believe it now, but if you really fall in love with Western Civilizations  greatest artistic achievement the sound will become secondary .

sevs, Bernstein said a lot of things, he liked to hear himself talk .

bomarc, +1 on the Hilary Hahn Bach.
If you haven’t heard Rachel Barton Pine do Bach she’s a nice midway between the Hahn and Bell poles .
sevs, I have no take on "The Rest is Noise" because I never heard of it.

Re, Mahler ,after 60 years of listening to Classical my take is my time is better spent with Brahms or Bruckner.
That said, his "Das Lied von der Erde" is one of my favorite pieces .
Might not be if I didn’t speak German.
Ditto with Stravinsky, don’t care for him much either yet his "Pulcinella Suite" is another favorite of mine .

No rule that you have to be in love with any great composer, save Bach of course, Music is like women , you like what you like .
Doesn't matter, more info on this topic is always helpful to all .
I started mine 60 years ago and I picked up some useful tid-bits .