Snipes:
If this were 25 or 30 years ago, I would suggest starting with something like Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring." Back then, Frank Zappa (Mothers of Invention) cited Stravinsky as a major influence to his music. Keith Emerson (the Nice & Emerson, Lake, & Palmer) and Procol Harum both cited Bach as an influence (a "Whiter Shade of Pale" is built around a Bach cantata). Also, ELP's recording of "Pictures at an Exhibition" is just their version of Mussorgsky's composition. It was interviews and music like this that got me started in listening to classical music.
Two useful web-sites to look at are:
1. Classics Today is a newsletter that is carried in most record stores and has reviews of new releases by categories.
2. http://www.hypermusic.ca/hist/mainmenu.html - has a pretty useful overview of the different musical periods that comprise classical music.
At this point, it is not necessary to get the best recording of any piece, but rather to get to know what you like. Most classical compilations have either a "music to relax by" or "instrument" theme to them ... so they may/may not be useful to you. Find a period ( I would suggest after 1800) or composer (Stravinsky; Beethoven) or instrument (organ; violin; guitar) and jump in.
Sticking with either Naxos or EMI's Greatest Performance/Greatest Artist series is an inexpensive way to explore classical music.
Regards, Rich
If this were 25 or 30 years ago, I would suggest starting with something like Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring." Back then, Frank Zappa (Mothers of Invention) cited Stravinsky as a major influence to his music. Keith Emerson (the Nice & Emerson, Lake, & Palmer) and Procol Harum both cited Bach as an influence (a "Whiter Shade of Pale" is built around a Bach cantata). Also, ELP's recording of "Pictures at an Exhibition" is just their version of Mussorgsky's composition. It was interviews and music like this that got me started in listening to classical music.
Two useful web-sites to look at are:
1. Classics Today is a newsletter that is carried in most record stores and has reviews of new releases by categories.
2. http://www.hypermusic.ca/hist/mainmenu.html - has a pretty useful overview of the different musical periods that comprise classical music.
At this point, it is not necessary to get the best recording of any piece, but rather to get to know what you like. Most classical compilations have either a "music to relax by" or "instrument" theme to them ... so they may/may not be useful to you. Find a period ( I would suggest after 1800) or composer (Stravinsky; Beethoven) or instrument (organ; violin; guitar) and jump in.
Sticking with either Naxos or EMI's Greatest Performance/Greatest Artist series is an inexpensive way to explore classical music.
Regards, Rich