Naxos, the way to go for classical?

Naxos is a fine label, made great by not grabbing every last cent. You can build your whole library as you wish from them. And when some music lifts you from your mud, you can after a dozen listenings, look for another performance, doing your diligent research. I am sticking out my chin here for all to swat, pummel or pound. Naxos is crusial to preserve the culture. And I agree with the other guys that reading is alimentary and cheap. So read as you listen to Naxos. The really good thing is that the scope is s big and you should relax into it. I hope you like libraries; cause they speed you on your way to slow contemplation. I defend Naxos above all comers in value and taste.

Naxos is a good way to get familiar with the subject with no serious investments, but I think you can find more very interesting, performed not in a usual way, recordings in relatively smaller labels, such as Dorian or Telarc, than in Sony or Philips, where, IMHO, quality of performance and recording is hardly predictable. Check speciality audio stores.

Naxos can be OK,not always the best performers.You can get very good buys by joining BMG,they do carry high end labels such as Hyperion,telarc,emi,etc.The best source I have found for classical cd/sacd/dvd is Music Arkiv not cheap but reliable and the most comprehensive.Some of the best sound quality I have found on a Arts&music label they reasonably priced and have superb baroque performers sound quality is excellent on their 24/98 editions.

http://www.theclassicalstation.org is an fm and internet music provider. If you link through to their "today's music" listing,they list the albums,labels,and catalog numbers. When you hear something you like,you can look it up.

I've heard Naxos recordings where I did not agree with the interpretations but,on balance,they are a fine label.

Enjoy your immersion into art music.(Piston's definition)

To answer your original question I would not recommend building classical collection of "only" Naxos Cds, you must do research and mix and match labels/artists. Also some composers are not well represented in current Naxos collection.

There are many many choices for popular works at all price levels and performance levels from many labels......sometimes you can get the excellent performance at budget price. A perfect example it the recent Tintner/Naxos complete Bruckner symphony set, great sound/performance/price, highest recommendation!

The sound quality of Naxos CD's now is usually very good and competes with full price offerings, however most of the best conductors/artists have contracts with major label like DG/Sony/EMI/Phillips/London etc. Fortunately the major labels have released older recordings at mid and budget price sets which are often great buys for building classic CD collection for beginners.

To sum up I own many Naxos Cds which are very good, but I think you should research getting buget/mid priced sets from major labels with name performers as primary source of classical Cds for beginner. I do sometimes buy new recordings at full price, but there are so many older quality recordings at reduced price if you do some research.