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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

Showing 4 responses by rja

rja's avatar
rja
2,356 posts
 
Try some Albinoni oboe concertos on the Chandos Chaconne label.
PS: I love the tone of those baroque oboes.
rja's avatar
rja
2,356 posts
 
Yes, I second Gawdbless's suggestion. One thing I might mention is that there is a lot of different "classical" music and you'll have to check out different eras, styles, composers etc. to find out which you prefer.

For instance, I don't care that much for the big romantic era stuff (Mahler, Bruckner, Brahms, casts of thousands) although I like some later romantic music like Ralph Vaughan Williams (sometimes referred to as the English cow pat school). I prefer smaller romantic repertoire such as piano trios, quartets, chamber music, etc.
I find baroque stuff with basso continuo appealing as well. Earlier opera (17th & 18th century) especially French and English also appeals to me (Rameau, Lully, Purcell).
Then I skip to more contemporary stuff like Valentin Silvestrov.

Obviously, there's a whole lot to explore. Be forewarned; Can turn into a lifelong pursuit!
Even worse when mixed with interests in Rock'n'Roll and Jazz and audio.
rja's avatar
rja
2,356 posts
 
The library is the most cost effective way to sample all this fare without spending thousands of dollars. Free is always nice!
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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